In Sherman Alexie’s novel, Reservation Blues, he strays form the norms of much Native American literature and portrays members of the Spokane Tribe reservation in a modern setting struggling to integrate and succeed in contemporary society. The struggles appear in varying forms including alcoholism, poverty, racism, and simply cultural differences. Alexie, who himself is a Spokane Tribe Member, largely uses a group of five fictional friends who start a band to convey the image of the struggling Indian. The book shows that the Indians, who understand Native American culture and appreciate it, are more likely to succeed in contemporary society while people who fail to understand will not succeed. The trouble is that the people who want to leave the reservation cannot succeed elsewhere because they are predisposed to failure off the reservation. Alexie argues that Native Americans who appreciate Native culture are able to leave the reservation successfully while those who fail to appreciate the culture are end up staying on the reservation.

Victor Joseph, one of the main characters, is the epitome of a rebellious Native. He hates being Native American and is rude to everyone within the tribe. He tries the hardest to not be Native American and ends up being one of the few characters that ends up staying on the reservation. He tries to sleep with as many white women as possible, disrespects all the tribal traditions, and is rude to the wisest tribe member named Big Mom. Not surprisingly, he even thinks he will be able to make a solo career for himself playing the guitar. Due to his lack of understanding and appreciation of his culture, he is continuously pulled closer and closer to the reservation alcoholism, and other problems that come with the reservation.

Thomas Young, the main character, is the most respectful and educated band member in the ways of the tribe. He is ultra respectful of the tribal members, like the-man-who-was-probably-Lakota, and is seldom rude to another person. He brings his band to Big Mom to seek advice and uses the resources of the tribe for their music. He is the most cool, calm, and collective of the band and understands the problems of a Native American life. He avoids clear of alcohol completely, because of his father, and sees how characteristics of being Native can either help or hurt him. Due to his understanding of the differences of contemporary and native culture he is the most likely to succeed out of the reservation. In fact, he ends up moving off the reservation and getting a job along with other similar characters.

Alexie argues that Native Americans who appreciate Native culture are able to leave the reservation successfully while those who fail to appreciate the culture are end up staying on the reservation. Thomas doesn’t necessarily embrace his native American culture but he clearly understands it and can empathize with the other members. Due to his empathy he is able to understand the differences and necessary steps to take in order to succeed off the reservation. Victor on the other hand, rebels completely from the tribe and is therefore drawn even further into the poverty of the reservation life.