Native American Struggles Of Victor In The Movie Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals goes into the lives of a group of Indians, getting by on a Native American Reservation. Contrary to most films about this group of people, the director chooses to personify the natives in an nonbiased state. Most Native Americans are depicted as barbaric, stoic, incompetent, and humorously spiritual. The story enters the life of a man, Victor, and the internal battles he faces as a young Native American.

The protagonist, Victor, is on the cusp of adulthood. Still living at home with his mother, he hears the news that his father passed away. At this point he is confronted with his past and faces a potential turning point in his life. In the film, Victor has a warrior mentality; a demeanor of confidence and maturity. Much of Victor’s persona originates from a stereotype. He feels he must act in a certain manner to portray the way of the Indian. A point comes in the film where Victor insists Thomas must change his wardrobe, hairstyle, and manner to resemble a true Indian. Thomas, however, plays the important role of encouraging Victor to find his true self and be willing to experience forgiveness and enlightenment. The movie puts a good perspective on the Indians from the outside world.

Much of the White Americans looked at Victor and Thomas with disdain, misunderstanding and discrimination. During these interactions, Victor is drawn to clash back at them. With the help of Thomas’ inner-peace and bubbly manner, the two settled on laughing off and singing away the prejudices on the bus trip. This interaction shows that Victor isn’t subjected to a single way of acting. He is multifaceted in emotion and behavior.

Another turning point in Victor’s incarnate stereotype is when he cuts his hair. Not long before this he went into detail the importance and power of an Indian’s hair. When Victor saw his father’s old photo of them as a family, it enraged him enough to cut his own hair. This showed that he faces real emotions, much like everyone else in the world. Finishing off the film, Victor comes to grips with himself and realizes his true self. This story of redemption and forgiveness makes the point that although the Indians do have generational traditions, it does not dismiss the fact that they are still human and experience the same hardships, sentiments, and joys in life as everyone else.

Moving forward, let’s make an inference on the future of Thomas and Victor. I believe a hopeful and content Thomas will still be on the Indian Reservation ten years from now. He willingly stayed with his grandma to tend her care and be a positive light in the folks around him. Thomas, although outspoken, is wise and joyful. In the movie, he shows how little money is of value to him. He was more concerned with the spiritual and mental state of his friend. I don’t believe Thomas has no need to leave the reservation.

Victor, on the other hand, was in search of something since the beginning. Much like you suggested, his story had only just begun at the end of the film. After he released his father’s ashes into the river, the healing process began. I think Victor has a long road ahead of him. He will leave the reservation, in search of a fresh start. I believe his own past will come up in his future and haunt him every now and then. He will be reminded of who he is portrayed by the outside world, but will fight to remain true to himself.

Smoke Signals invites the viewer to consider the perspective of a community misunderstood by many. Victor’s depiction of a Native American man struggling to express himself while holding on to cultural values shows he is more than what meets the eye.