You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie

For Alexie, writing is his therapy, and he uses poetry to process his relationship to his mother, his culture, and his own sense of self. Though at first it appears disruptive from the flow of the narrative, the inclusion of poetry offers a reprise for the reader, underscoring the process by which humans choose to cope with their grief. The author’s usage of lyrical prose throughout the memoir allows poetry to act as a tool of reflection. The memoir is comprised as a collection of memories woven together in a meaningful way. Though, it is through this reflection that contemporary issues surrounding the rise of racism, violence and ignorance are brought forth as he contemplates the place of Native Americans in a post-Trump America. The core of the novel is centered on the author’s attempt to come to terms with his complex relationship with his recently deceased mother. Born with hydrocephalus to poverty-stricken, alcoholic parents, Alexie was often the victim of both physical and verbal abuse from family and strangers alike. Note that lines of poetry are indicated by capitalization throughout the memoir and are maintained to emphasize the author's unique poetic style.įrom the beginning of the memoir, the reader is brought into the depths of the author’s troubled childhood growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Alexie, Sherman.

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie