Life-Size Indian

What is the value of one’s culture? Native culture is an integral part in a person’s life. A person consists of many different characteristics, such as personality and appearance; however, what makes a person more unique would be his own culture. Native culture is what a person grew up with and identifies him as, thus losing or forgetting it would mean losing himself. Although it is important to remain with one’s culture, many people end up losing it. This is the consequence of living in America, where people with diverse cultures exist. Often times, diverse cultures feel the need to adapt to the more mainstream culture. Because of this, many people tend to forget their own native culture in attempt to assimilate to a different one. Similarly, Beth Piatote illustrates this idea of western assimilation through her short story, “Life-Size Indian.” Throughout the story, Piatote describes how Nathaniel felt necessary to assimilate to another culture, but eventually, the realization of his native culture results in a greater value. Piatote also includes many characters in her story. One of them is Bean, who is a direct contrast of Nathaniel. Nathaniel also meets Jen, who tells him a story of a life-size Indian that pushes Nathaniel to embrace his native culture. Lastly, Mel is use to symbolize the Native American culture. Piatote uses Bean, Jen, and Mel to help Nathaniel on his journey in deciding what his identity is. Nathaniel has always been indecisive, but through the experiences of these four characters, he finally realizes what it means to be Native American, and that his own judgment results to be very important.

Throughout the story, Piatote uses several vivid descriptions to show the indecisive personality of Nathaniel. “Nate was fiddling with the top button of his shirt. Button. Unbutton. He wasn’t sure. In the Army, he would perfect the slightest fold of his collar…”(pg. 270). Because of his irresoluteness, the Army seems like a way that straightens up his life, a way that makes decisions for him, and a way that guides his life. The Army can act as a symbolism for the American culture. By writing about joining the Army, Nathaniel is trying to assimilate towards a western lifestyle. Nathaniel finally steps out of his native culture and begins to explore a new culture, a new life, and a new person. It can be noted that Nathaniel tries this new identity of an American as his personality switches from indecisive to decisive. For example, Nathaniel’s friend, Bean, tells him that he will never be able to hook up with Jen, a white American girl; however, Nathaniel “knew this wasn’t true. No girl was out of his league…�because I’m an Amer-I-can!’” (pg. 273). When Nathaniel believes in himself, he follows the American motto of “Nothing’s impossible.” Already, the reader can start to notice the subtle change in Nathaniel’s attitude; it became more strong-minded, more decisive, and importantly, it became more American.

While Nathaniel encounters hardships between American and Native American culture, Bean seems to have no difficulty living his life with a mere combination of the two. Piatote includes Bean as a contrasting character to that of Nathaniel. Though Nathaniel may seem unsure about his identity, it is clear that Bean is certain about his. Bean lives his life knowing exactly what he wants and has a strong sense of determination. For instance, Bean is the one who always suggests which party they head to, while Nathaniel just follows along. Even though Bean’s character provides a foil to that of Nathaniel’s, there is a sense that Bean has the ideal lifestyle that Nathaniel wants. By being a war veteran, Bean shows that he integrates the western lifestyle in his own life. Despite assimilating towards a western lifestyle, Bean is still able to maintain a grasp of his native culture. He is able to hang on to his Native American lifestyle and traditions. Nathaniel saw Bean wearing “a western shirt…and had his light brown hair pulled back in a tight, sleek ponytail” (pg. 271). By wearing a western shirt, Bean shows the effort of assimilating to an American way of living, but having a ponytail also shows how Bean resembles the stereotypical Native American. It also mentions how in the Army, Bean is sometimes refer to the word “Chief.” Even though Bean is living according to a western lifestyle by participating in the Army, and acts like a patriotic American citizen, people still perceive him as a Native American, and calls him stereotypical names. Since Bean is surrounded by these stereotypes, he cannot escape them, so he has to learn to accept it. He is still holding onto native cultural values not because he chooses to, but because it is evitable. In the end, Bean learns to embrace these values of Native American, and acknowledges this is