Crazy Brave: A Memoir

While the themes of sexism and racism are present throughout the book, Harjo does not discuss them explicitly in most cases. How does Harjo develop these themes, and in what ways is her approach to these themes effective? Use specific examples.

Evaluate the effectiveness of Harjo’s use of spiritual visions and dreams at major plot points in the story. Provide specific examples of dreams or visions that Harjo has and how they are used to propel the narrative forward.

While Harjo describes the many abuses of the men in her life, she does not use judgmental or pejorative language toward them, with the exception of her stepfather. How, instead, does Harjo portray these men, and with what devices does she explain their destructive behavior?

Consider how Harjo structures the narrative into four parts, each defined by a direction. What does each direction represent, and how does Harjo uses this symbology to direct the flow of the story?

What does the “knowing” represent in the narrative, and how does Harjo use it in different parts of the book? Why does Harjo sometimes listen to her knowing, and why does she ignore it at other times?

At the end of the book, Harjo notes that American Indian women felt great pressure to hide the problem of domestic abuse and alcoholism during the movement for American Indian rights in the 1960s and 1970s. How is this idea reflected in the life of Joy Harjo? Provide specific examples and explain.

Imagine that Joy Harjo was meant to be a doctor rather than a poet. How might her struggles and life experiences have differed? Would she have undergone such a transformative journey in this case? Why or why not?

Think about your own cultural background and how it has influenced your growth from childhood to adulthood. Write a brief memoir explaining how your own development has reflected your culture, using a few specific examples.