Post #7

I actually began reading Prison Writings a couple of weeks ago, and I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. So far (the first third of the book or so), it seems that the book is more about style than content, and I actually don’t mean that in a negatively critical way, though it may sound like I do. What I mean by this, is that so far Peltier has provided little in the way of historical context or back story (though the documentary we watched in class cleared up much of my confusion). All the reader knows is that he has been imprisoned, in his opinion unfairly, “guilty only of being an Indian” (15). He offers some compelling descriptions of life in prison, but so far there has been little in terms of content that has caught my eye.

What has caught my attention, however, is his articulate, stylistically compelling tone. Peltier addresses the reader directly—in the second person—thereby drawing them into the narrative, and he also includes poetry throughout (common in American Indian literature). His style of writing is also exquisitely articulate and refined. Though I do not believe the reading level to be particularly high, every word is impeccably chosen for succinctness and to convey the appropriate meaning. The use of short sentences and paragraphs is also very jarring. For example, the final three paragraphs of the second chapter read as follows:

“So Sun Dance made even prison life sustainable for me.
I am undestroyed.
My life is my Sun Dance” (12).

This stylistic choice is highly appropriate, however, given the book’s jarring, disturbing subject matter. Peltier’s skillful utilization of style is, thus far, the most engaging aspect of Prison Writings.