Life Patterns : Crossed Paths

Jennifer Luong
ENC1102
Block 4
February 23, 2010

There are many types of patterns, from the pattern of the Earth's years, months, and days to the pattern of the same routine people go through in their daily jobs that consists of working, eating and sleeping. In the story William struggles to break his pattern of his career, and this pattern that he is in is creating a barrier that disrupts him from truly expressing himself and loving his family to his greatest potential. William's inability to address and conquer what he lacks holds him back from truly expressing himself. Also in the story, Fedaku, William's new friend, is stuck in a pattern that enables him to be with his family. In Flight Patterns, William and Fedaku find themselves at personal and cultural crossroads. These challenges test their loyalties, their limits, and who they are as people and who they love.
Flight Patterns is a very influential yet comical story that will keep the reader entertain throughout the whole story. Since it is written in a third person point of view, the story allows the reader access to William's emotions, thoughts, and memories. By using this format, the reader is required to follow the story more attentively. In addition, Alexie makes the story more interesting by shaping the plot of the story with William's flashbacks and old dreams throughout the story.
Flight Patterns by Sherman Alexie, tells the story of William, a Spokane Indian and traveling salesman. On many occasions he has to leave his wife and daughter for this job. William feels guilty about leaving his wife and young daughter behind while he travels, but parts with them every time despite his unwillingness . In the story, William has created for him self the patterns of an 'obsessive-compulsive workaholic'. He is so stuck in his work pattern that no matter how unwilling he is to leave him family, he always rationalizes with himself and always leaves.
On a particular day, William encounters a taxi driver and the they share stories about their families, hopes, and fears. At first William is skeptical of the taxi driver and has trouble believing if the stories he tells are true or not. The more interesting and captivating his stories get, William becomes more and more fascinated and soon does not care whether the stories are true or not. In the end, the William and Fedaku find common ground because of their experiences and shared laughs. Fedaku tells William about his life pattern that has kept him away from his family. Fedaku's life story is hardly in his hands and the barrier between himself and his family is nearly impossible to overcome. William is very inspired and enlightened by Fedaku. Their strong connection allows Fedaku to William really think about his family and follow his heart. He realizes he is lucky and that he can change is family's fate unlike Fedaku, and William takes this realization and calls his family and express himself to them.
Also, in Flight Patterns, Alexie weaves many stereotypical thoughts and ironies throughout the story. For example, when William explains how wrong it is for white men in the airport to search him saying, “ I am a Native American and therefore have ten thousand more reasons to terrorize the U.S.”. But at the same time, William himself contradicts himself he says tat he wants these men to protect him and the country, but he would not eat dinner with them. Alexie also uses Fedaku as an example of a tragic irony. Fedaku is a runaway Ethiopian. He was a genius that had worked for the government. He had no choice but to work for the government to protect his family and while he worked them them had to kill may innocent people even though it was against his will. However when the current government is overthrown, the new government decided to punish all who worked under the previous dictatorship. Now to save himself and his family, Fedaku has to flee from his country. This is a great tragic irony in story. This irony has helped William open his eyes. William had came to a realization with the help of his new found friend.
I also found Alexie's narrative of the story to be very interesting and unique from what I am used to reading. One of the things I thought was interesting was how the view point played such a big role in the story. It was written in third person, so the reader create their own perceptions of William's thoughts and feeling. His thoughts were sometimes familiar and relatable and at other times provocative but interesting at the same time. The way the story was written at times made it seem that for a moment everything that was happening was paused while the reader explored the narrator’s inner most feelings. Some which at times you could relate and at other times seem outlandish. I thought the view point Alexie choose added a lot of depth to the story. I also found the theme to be very thought controversial and provoking. The writer explored topics such as racism, rage, sexism, terrorism, and many others. What made all of these so familiar and real was that it was written about current historical and impacting events such as September 11th, which was not very long ago. I was shocked when I read,“but shouldn’t every husband seek to objectify his wife at least once a day?” I thought that’s kind of sexist, but at the same time it makes you think. "Flight Patterns" incorporates sexual contents, social context, and the theme of self-identity. The story keeps the reader enthusiastic and thinking. The sexual scenes with William's wife and his thoughts about objectifying this wife brings much conflict. Moreover, the story deals with the huge problem of stereotypes and racial profiling throughout the society. To elaborate, there are several occurrences in which William faces racism and its negative comments. However, he disregards the remarks by laughing and joking about them which he does in a very witty and humorous way.
Most importantly, the story particularly confronts the denial of one’s identity. William's identity crisis and the contrast between his modern lifestyle and his Native Indian culture is very interesting. William, is a very interesting character in the story he changes from an uncompassionate man to a sympathetic character. William is a character that I can identify with. I am constantly changing and struggling to find their own self-identity and can relate in some way with William and the different characters throughout the story. Overall, Flight Patterns prove to be an engaging story with a very important message.
Flight Patterns is a very captivating story. With an engaging plot and relatable characters, Alexie fills the story with humor and real-life controversial topics. The story shows two different people with two different patterns. These patterns cross and William and Fedaku each impact each others lives greatly and positively. Also, because the story is narrated in third person with flashbacks and old dreams it's made the reader and William more connected throughout the story. Having this connection makes the story more interesting. William’s thoughts and insight along with the different themes explored cause the reader to think and analyze each character, major and minor. And explore their lives and different life patterns. William and Fedaku are who different people with different cultures but both lives emphasizes on the importance of family and love. Patterns cross and collide, sometimes unexpectedly, but can greatly impact both courses immensely.