Coulombe Summary

Coulombe argues that Alexie uses humor as an all-purpose multi-tool. At times he uses the humor to challenge the assumptions of the reader. He forces the reader to rethink the American Indian - White dynamic. By using humor Alexie does not allow the reader to ever be comfortable, his humor creates a sense of tension and instability which mirrors reality. He quotes Bahtkin as saying that humor "demolishes fear and piety." Coulombe argues that Alexie does not want his reader to fear American Indian issues nor does he want the reader to be moved to silence by piety. He argues that Alexie's humor creates a space where people of different backgrounds and races can come together and think about the nature of the American Indian - White relationship. Coulombe also argues that Alexie's characters use humor to hide their own pain both physical (The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor) and emotional (Every Little Hurricane). His characters also use humor as a way to respond to racism without rage, this is evident when Victor and Sadie are stopped by the police officer and they both playfully tease him with humor rather than getting upset. Coulombe also notices that Alexie's humor sometimes alientates him as a writer and his characters from their loved ones. He wraps up this essay by asserting that humor ultimately shows us how we are alike, and helps us laugh at our differences.