15 - The Round House

One common theme present in all the books in this week is to highlight the different viewpoints and differences minorities have living in the United States and the problems many must cross in order to be accepted in the country. In The Round House, this common theme is explored by the viewpoint of Joe, a13 year old Native American taking matters to his own hands in trying to find out what happened to his mother. Such a viewpoint shows the experience of living in a reservation environment, where the residents are seen by the rest of the American population as isolated, such as when a woman in chapter 1 remarked “Don’t you Indians have your own hospital over there?” Reservations are also legally seen as separate countries in foreign relations, which is reflected in his father’s work in trying to win court cases in a disadvantaged position. 

Another issue is that is noted in the story is the roles of women in the story. As the book progresses,Joe’s family tries to cope with the lack of a mother figure. This allows Joe to transition into adulthood, which is an overarching theme in the story. Joe is forced into this adulthood as a result of his lack of opportunity living in a reservation combined with the US legal system’s neglect for tribal matters. The society Joe is surrounded in is faced with people who wish to profit off of their lack of opportunity and see it as natural that they want to stay in such a restricted environment. 

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