A Close Reading of Flight by Patterns by Sherman Alexei

Abstract

Flight Patterns is a short story written by Sherman Alexei; I selected this story because it captures and discusses the issues affecting the current American society in a unique writing style that captivates the reader. Sherman brings into light the socio-political issues affecting the society in the short story Flight Patterns, through the leading character William. The society in Flight Patterns is multiethnic, yet divided by racial prejudice. Sherman Alexei, a Native American with Indian roots, shows the challenges facing a modern Indian man through the events surrounding the leading character in the story William. This essay provides a close reading of Flight Patterns by widely analyzing some important aspects of the story such as cultural context, themes, motifs, stylistic devices and their significance to an individual living in the current society.

Even without getting deep into the analysis one factor is quite evident from just a surface reading of this story. Sherman portrays a society that the upper class lacks appreciation. The lack of appreciation comes clearly through the leading character William (Alexei 1). Appreciation is an act that requires and individual on the receiving or giving end showing gratitude of something done. Appreciation is a virtue that surpasses culture, religion or race. William, on the other hand takes pride in his family, and origin feels no need to show appreciation whether giving or receiving (Alexei 1). William's interaction with the taxi driver, however changes his beliefs and perception on life.

Rather than enhancing his narrow-mindedness, the talk with Fekadu the taxi driver exposes him to the world that is far beyond his small world revolving around his career and family (Alexei 2). William begins observing the world from a different angle. Initially, William perceived appreciation as a characteristic of a weak man and one seeking favors. He out ruled any essence attached to this virtue. His experience with Fekadu makes him reflect on his life, and he begins appreciating his family and plans to rebuild broken relationships (Alexei 3). In life, we interact with individuals like William every day, individuals who feel that they own earth they walk on and do not stop to appreciate everything given to them. Mother Nature, however, has its ways of teaching such individuals a lesson. The likes of William in the modern society go through life transforming events or lose everything.