Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

Question 1: Setting

·       Code Talker is set in the United States. The story is about a young Navajo boy and his life while studying in an American-led school. The authorities force him to abandon his culture by shaving his long hair and learning English. They name him Ned Begay. Later, Ned participates in the Second World War as a code talker in Japan.

Question 2: Conversation

·       Me: How did you feel, serving in an army whose government oppressed your people and culture? Were you tempted to reveal military secrets to the enemy?

Ned: I am a native citizen. I served my country and not the oppressors. Otherwise, the Japanese military and other enemies would have undermined our sovereignty should if they emerged as winners. I hardly thought of betraying my colleagues.

Question 3: The Author’s Purpose

·       The author informs the American public about the sacrifices that heroes such as Ned made to ensure the prosperity they enjoy today. It teaches a powerful lesson, that humble people from neglected communities can be helpful in times of need. Also, the author reveals the importance of cultural preservation.

Question 4: Ned and My Family

·       If I bring Ned to my family, he will interact warmly with my friends and family. For instance, he will remind them about his participation in the Second World War. Given that he likes to narrate stories to his grandchildren, the conversation will be lively. Most importantly, Ned will sensitize on the need for cultural integration in an ethnically diverse but racially polarized country.

Question 5: Scene One

·       In scene one, the American government completely neglected native Indians’ views. Not only did it force the young students to abandon their language and beliefs but also recruited the minors as soldiers. Instead, I would have consulted the elders first prior to making decisions that affect the livelihoods of other communities.

Question 6: Courage

·       Ned is courageous. He was sixteen years old when the recruitment staff hired new soldiers. Irrespective, he convinced them to take him in as a military officer. He was unafraid of dangerous battles outside the country. Eventually, he played a critical role as a code talker to ensure an American victory. If I had this trait, it will be easier to overcome challenges and to help those in need.

Question 7:  Narration

·       Joseph Bruchac narrates the story. Unfortunately, he is not the best person to tell it because he is not a Native American (his ethnic background is English and Slovak. He heard the story from his grandmother hence his account cannot be authenticated. The narrator should have been the main character providing first-hand information. Given that his role was a well-guarded secret until its declassification in the late 1960s, Joseph Bruchac’s narration is flawed.

8. Unanswered Questions

·       I have unanswered questions regarding the story. First, the speaker does not inform readers if Ned receives benefits and other entitlements as a hero. It is probable that due to the secretive nature of his job as a military officer, the government did not reward him and others prior to declassification.  Secondly, is Ned Begay satisfied with the current government’s treatment of Native Americans? Have conditions improved?

9. Predictions

·       The declassification of Ned’s role is the first step of Acknowledging the use of secret officers during the Second World War. I predict that other surviving military veterans will come up with interesting stories because the government grants them to share what they did during the war. Potentially, a string of lawsuits will follow to challenge the government’s position before and after declassification.

Question 10: Extract

·       “A burning Sherman tank lifted right up into the air and flipped upside down by the explosion of a 500-pound bomb that had been buried as a mine… Then there were the smells. The odor of sulfur was everywhere. IT mixed with the burning gasoline from the flamethrowers and napalm bombs, the sharp tang of gunpowder, the overheated metal of machine gun barrels, so hot they were melting.” (Bruchac, 2011, p. 186)

·       This passage is interesting since it summarizes the book's setting. The author skillfully narrates Ned’s thoughts to provide a glimpse to a reader regarding the main character’s feelings and how he longs for Iwo Jima. Specifically, the passage captivates the reader’s attention because it vividly describes the smell of bombs in an active conflict zone.

Reference

Bruchac, J. (2011). Code talker: A novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York: Speak. 1-196.