The War Prayer Rhetorical Analysis

Alexie’s tone throughout the story impacts the reader’s perception of it. Throughout the text, there are many corrupt incidences told that ends with laughter. For example, there was one situation in which a Maori soldier had lost both of his legs but he tries to humor his condition by joking that his legs had ran away in heaven. Jackson’s grandmother then proceeds to be witty back and tell the soldier that “you have got to get your arms strong... so you can run on your hands” (Alexie 4). Another incident where something serious is met with happiness is when Jackson is saved from the railroad tracks by a white police officer. Once together and Jackson is awake, the officer asks, “how the hell do you Indians laugh so much?” (Alexie 7). Even though