After reading Sherman Alexie's “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me”, I can understand a little more why reading is such a crucial part of many peoples' lives. As shown to be a huge part of Alexie's life, he defeats the odds and puts his frustration into something which he can harness as a tool to help others. I enjoyed his analogy with paragraphs and life which allowed him to see the world through his own lens and making sense of it.
One of my favorite parts of this text was how Alexie tells the story of how he learned to read by interpreting the pictures in the Superman comic. In the comic, Superman breaks down the door to assumingly achieve his goal and be something for himself. I love how Alexie sums up the text by using this analogy between slacking Indian students who are capable of greatness and breaking the door. Alexie writes, ""Books" I say. I throw my weight against their locked doors. The door holds. I am smart. I am arrogant. I am lucky. I am trying to save our lives""(18). By trying to break down other's doors, Alexie tries to get the Indian students to see their inner talent. This tool, I think is powerful and what makes this text intriguing.
Overall, I feel as though Alexie tries to persuade a particular audience. An audience that may be overlooked at home or academically. By writing, "I refuse to fail. I was smart. I was arrogant. I was lucky", Alexie ultimately shows his resistance of being less than what he is capable of. A tool, to me, which is important for life. He refuses to be overlooked and persuades the readers act the same.
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