The Plot According to Alexie, the great American Indian novel should have an incident which will run the story such as a murder, suicide, and an attempted rape (line 22). In addition, alcohol becomes a must-consume drink in the story and if possible, it also includes speeding cars (line 24). Of the 4 samples, murders can be found in Gentle Savage, and alcohol in Native Wolf. Murder and rape have been the staple theme of Native American stories. “During times of conflict with Whites, American Indian males became sexual threats, epitomized most clearly in that most pervasive of genres, the captivity narrative…the captivity narrative confirmed to popular audiences the notion of American Indian as “other”, whether that Other is evil or noble” (Bird, 64). Similarly, rape also exists in romance genre. It helps to run the plot. However, there is some condition to include rape in the story. “’A true rape’ can be included only if ‘it moves the story forward’ and if it happens to someone other than the heroine” (Radway, 75).…show more content… It gives reason for the hero to fulfil their fate. Hence, the story goes. The vision can be from both the hero and heroine. In Native Wolf and Gentle Savage for example, both the hero and heroine have seen visions. Interestingly, the vision seen by the white heroine is found in Gentle Savage. It proves to what is inserted in the poem that White people can have the same visions if they are in love with Indians (line 25-6). Secrets as well as visions are also important. Just like what is emphasized in Alexie’s poem, secrets become the fuel for the plot. In Native Wolf, the half-breed hero tries to unravel his family secret by searching his lost Indian grandmother who lives in a White’s
