Introduction
Literature allows us to delve into diverse worlds and experiences through the narratives of unique characters. While each story unfolds in its own way, examining different works can reveal striking similarities and differences. This essay will compare and contrast Sherman Alexie’s What You Pawn I Will Redeem and Miranda July’s The Swim Team by examining the literary elements of theme, conflict, and characterization.
Similarities
At first glance, What You Pawn I Will Redeem and The Swim Team may share little, but a deeper analysis reveals similarities that enrich our understanding of both texts. One of the most prominent themes in both stories is searching for identity and belonging. Alexie’s protagonist, Jackson Jackson, is a homeless Native American man on a quest to reclaim his grandmother’s stolen powwow regalia from a pawnshop. His journey is not just about retrieving an object but finding a sense of self and connection to his cultural heritage.
Similarly, July’s unnamed protagonist is an isolated individual who finds purpose in teaching three elderly people how to simulate swimming on land, creating a sense of community and belonging for herself and her makeshift “swim team.”
Conflict in both stories is deeply internal as well as external. Jackson faces the external challenge of collecting enough money to buy back the regalia, set against the backdrop of his internal struggle with alcoholism and the societal displacement of Native Americans. In The Swim Team, the conflict is more subtle; it lies in the protagonist’s internal battle against loneliness and her external attempts to inject meaning into her life and the lives of her elderly students, who face their struggles with aging and obsolescence.
Both stories construct characterization through the lens of vulnerability and resilience. Alexie’s Jackson Jackson is a flawed yet endearing character whose humor and warmth make his downtrodden situation relatable and his small victories poignant. In The Swim Team, the protagonist’s quirky and imaginative approach to life and dedication to her students paint her as an eccentric but ultimately sympathetic figure. Both characters are portrayed as survivors in their rights, navigating life’s challenges with grit and grace.
Differences
While both stories have thematic parallels, the differences in theme, conflict, and characterization are equally illuminating. In terms of theme, What You Pawn I Will Focuses on the broader social issues of homelessness and the historical oppression of Native Americans. At the same time, The Swim Team is more concerned with the personal, internal experience of loneliness and the human need for connection regardless of age or circumstance.
The conflict in Alexie’s story is more direct and tangible, with a clear objective—the stolen regalia’s recovery. In contrast, July’s narrative deals with an abstract conflict, the fear of being forgotten, and the yearning to leave a mark on the world, which is neither easily articulated nor resolved. Characterization also diverges significantly between the two stories. Jackson Jackson’s personality is fleshed out through his interactions with others and the city of Seattle, which acts almost as another character in the story. On the other hand, the protagonist in The Swim Team is mainly characterized by her inner thoughts and the peculiar world she creates within her home, which is insulated from the outside world. Her character is more introspective, and her actions are driven by an internal dialogue that shapes her reality.
Conclusion
What You Pawn I Will Redeem by Sherman Alexie and The Swim Team by Miranda July delve into the themes of identity and belonging through the perspectives of characters grappling with inner and outer challenges. While distinct in their narratives, both tales prompt readers to ponder the intricacies of the human condition and the myriad avenues we traverse in our quest for significance and camaraderie. By examining the narratives, we attain a more profound comprehension of the manifold ways literature can illuminate the intricacies of existence.
References
Alexie, Sherman. (2003). What you pawn I will redeem. New Yorker Magazine.
July, M. (2007). The swim team. Harper’s Magazine.