Smoke Signals Writing

     Characters in the film Smoke Signals experience struggles regarding Native American History and stereotypes. Victor is a character who is trapped by the responsibility of always being defensive and independent as a stereotypical "warrior" should be. He is also burdened by the history of Native Americans being treated in an inferior way. The movie's characters change and grow, however, and their true Native American history and traditions is part of what makes that possible. 
Thomas and Victor in Smoke Signals
     Native Americans are traditional in ways like the fact that they like to dress similar to one another, eat a certain diet, and sing certain songs. This reminds me of how Victor tries to show Thomas how Indian men should wear their hair and embrace its freedom flowing long. Negative stereotypes commonly directed at Native Americans remind me of the policemen being quick to believe the white man in the movie who was drunk in the car wreck and blamed everything on Victor, assuming an Indian as so would have an alcohol problem. This represents how Native Americans live their life, as they seem to embrace it and one another and the freedom they have been granted, rather than dwell on the negative stereotypes and judgement from others.

     Towards the beginning of the movie Victor and Thomas were two very different character. Thomas is a much more positive person but also very naive. As they continue their story, the defensive and negative part of Victor kicks in as her tries to change the way that Thomas is. He makes Thomas change his hair and clothes and attempts to make him look as if he was not as happy as he truly is when he is around other people who would be judging them. Thomas' true, positive personality continues to shine through him throughout the movie and he is the one who ends up changing the way Victor sees his life as a Native American. Victor ends up even cutting is long, free hair and sees life as an opportunity for happiness like Thomas does. His father has passed away and he sets him free by releasing his ashes into a river and forgives him. Victor has become able to forgive as Native Americans should rather than the lifeless "warriors" as they are commonly portrayed as.

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