Alexie: What you Pawn I Will Redeem

This story is told by a Native American of the Spokane tribe, he begins in a tone of almost desperation. He begins with telling the reader of his current homeless situation, and how after failing at most things in life for example in school and in love, he had found something he was good at. But in the beginning it doesn't seem like he is truly happy, he talks about his Native American friends and about panhandling and getting drunk. Until all of the sudden he sees his grandmothers "regalia" in a pawn shop and his life is given an aim. He refers to it as a quest as he attempts to earn money to get his Grandmother's "regalia" back. But as he gets money from people who are sympathetic to his cause he quickly squanders it away with food and drink. He does not do this selfishly though and is very generous treating people to food and drink in bars and restaurants. And in the end he returns to the pawn shop with 5 dollars asking for the "regalia". The generous pawn shop owners sees his authenticity and gives the "regalia" to him free of charge. He runs out ecstatic and dances feeling his grandmother's presence with him as he dances in the street. The story begins with an almost depressed narrator who feeling like the world had done him in felt on the fringe of society. But as the story went on he turns into a very genuine man who despite being put down seemed to maintain his sense of humor, who is very generous and giving and in return in the end receives his grandmother's regalia and is truly able to celebrate his tradition and culture in the end.