Analysis_of_Sees_Behind_Trees_by_Michael_Dorris_and_Bronx_Masquerade_by_Nikki_Grimes

April 28, 2011 Storytelling- The Key to Transformation: Analysis of Sees Behind Trees by Michael Dorris and Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes One essential element of a good novel is a story that involves character transformation. Included in any definition of the word transformation is the phrase “a marked change for the better.” Thus, one might conclude that a good novel must include character transformation that leaves the characters in a better place. Authors have several literary devices at their disposal to accomplish this feat. In Dorris’ Sees Behind Trees and Grimes’ Bronx Masquerade, the authors utilize storytelling within the novel to advance the plot, pass on cultural lore, enhance communication and understanding between the characters, and foster relationships. As they characters tell their stories and listen to stories, the changes occurring among the protagonists is both dramatic and life altering. The purpose of this essay is to examine the function of storytelling as a literary tool in two novels: Sees Behind Trees by Michael Dorris, and Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes. Sees Behind Trees is a Native American tale set early in American history. The story concerns a young boy, Walnut (Sees Behind Trees), who is visually impaired. He is at the age of passing into manhood, but is having difficulty because of his eyesight. His journey into manhood is peppered with stories, tempered with adventure, and packed with rapid personal growth and understanding. Bronx Masquerade is set in modern day in the Bronx. The novel revolves around a group of students from the Bronx who are able to give voice to their fears, worries and insecurities and injustices through poetry while learning valuable insights into the lives of those around them. Through writing and sharing of their poetry, the students learn about themselves and as well each other. How can two so seemingly dissimilar books such as Michael Dorris’ Sees Behind Trees and Nikki Grimes’ Bronx Tale have so much in common' In both of these books, the protagonists are changed, their lives changed, their hopes, and dreams are changed as a result of creative outlets such as storytelling. Indeed, the protagonists are transformed in some way and become stronger, wiser individuals as a result. There is much evidence in both novels to support this claim. Dorris’ novel Sees Behind Trees utilizes storytelling to demonstrate all 4 functions previously listed. In the Native American tale, cultural lore (knowledge) is passed from generation to generation through the many stories and anecdotes told throughout the novel. In the novel, the Native American language encompasses storytelling as an integral part of life. Storytelling begins with the names chosen for the characters. Brings the Deer, Walnut’s uncle, was so named for his skill with the bow and his ability to bring home meat for the tribe (p. 4). Gray Fire, Walnut’s mentor, was named because he “he could pass through the village like smoke” (p. 12). Even the characters’ names tell a story and gives important information about the character, his/her status in the tribe, his/her special talent or other information. The protagonist, Walnut, who was visually impaired, gained his man name, Sees Behind Trees, for his ability to “see what can’t be seen” (p. 10). To help Walnut understand how to keep from getting lost in the woods, Gray Fire told him to become rain, or become a mouse (p. 54).. Walnut had to “tell a story” by pretending to be rain, or the mouse, and once he was one with the rain, he could understand the nature of rain and how that could help him with always knowing where he was. This cultural lore preserved tribal traditions, provided education to younger members of the tribe, and was a source of entertainment. In the Bronx Masquerade, students wrote and delivered poetry in the style and custom of the culture from which each student originated. One student used a rapping technique to read his poem out loud (p. 8). This style of entertainment is predominately cultural. Topics included in the students’ poems reflected their respective cultures. For instance, Chankara’s poem revealed she was abused by her boyfriend. The poem also revealed that her mother was also a victim of abuse (p.15). The revelations contained in the poems caused listeners to take pause and consider the environment and stereotypes associated with that culture. Communication is an integral part of life. It is vital to clearly understand the intended meaning of words. In Sees Behind Trees, The characters often communicated points through illustrating the point with a story. One day, Walnut’s father asked him if he remembered what happened to skin that was left in water. He said to Walnut, “Your face looks like it has been in water too long,” as his face was all twisted (p.25). This simple picture allowed Walnut to clearly understand what his father was asking. At one point, Gray Fire has a long conversation with Walnut, and explains why he limps. (p 26). This allowed Walnut a deeper insight into Gray Fire and understanding him as a human being. These incidences reveal the importance of communication The content of the poems in Bronx Masquerade certainly communicate vital information to the reader. More importantly, the poems give voice to the concerns, fears, desires, and hopes of the students. Lupe, a student who ended her relationship with her boyfriend, speaks about the loneliness that ensued. In her poem, Lupe is alone, in the cold, but has been there before (p. 68). She is surprised, when a white classmate extends her friendship to her, and she says so in her poem, “a pale-skinned surprise, a friend.” Judianne, considers herself unattractive. She compensated for this feeling by becoming a fashionista. Her classmates are shocked to learn through her poem of her desire to remake herself, including plastic surgery (p. 62). The poems communicate tolerance and understanding. In the poem “Black Box,” a student realizes that no matter what label you may try to affix to a person, labels do not reveal the true person (p. 84). This is the function of storytelling in Bronx Masquerade. The stories within the poems allowed the students to learn valuable lessons about love and life. Storytelling in the novel Sees Behind Trees fostered relationships between the characters. Walnut had long admired Gray Fire as a leader, an elder and artist (p.34). To this point, Gray Fire was mystical, a hero that all young men would aspire to be like. This fantastical perception of Gray Fire held by Walnut slowly crumbled and gave way to the real man. Recalling all that Gray Fire had said and taught him, Walnut was able to save himself and an orphaned baby. The stories enabled Walnut to see himself as a man (p. 86). The personal growth experienced by Walnut as he transitioned from a disabled boy to a confident, strong young man could have only occurred through the stories told to him. The stories revealed possibilities. Storytelling eventually lead to transformation of the main character and in many respects, transformed the nature of the tale. Just as storytelling fostered relationships for Walnut, Grimes accomplished the same in Bronx Masquerade. As the students began to reveal more of themselves in their poems, layers of doubt, pre-conceived destinies, bias and fear was shed. Students made startling discoveries about each other. When Raul read his first poem, another student was startled that Raul could write such a poem and was even startled to know Raul had enough English skills to write the poem (p.23). Students were surprised to learn about the physical abuse suffered by one their classmates, and the desire of a tall girl to become an artist rather than an athlete. In both novels, storytelling propelled the plot. Gray Fire’s story about the Land of Water, served to send the two characters on a journey. It was the journey that led to Walnut’s transformation into a confident young man despite his disability. The scattered stories, the anecdotes, the imaged explanations all contributed to the success of the story but also to the story line. Much like Sees Behind Trees, Bronx Masquerade, utilized the stories in the poems to drive the story. With each successive poem, the content and structure of the poems contributed to the personal growth of the students and those who heard the poems. As the last poems were read, hope began to shine through. In the poem, Self-Portrait: A Poem for my Father, the author finally decided to fight for herself and her right to be who she wanted to be. She states that despite the fact her father doesn’t care about her, she was going to grab a rail and keep on fighting to become what she wants to be (p. 154). Finally, both novels had stunning transformations as a result of storytelling. Walnut found that his new adult name, Sees Behind Trees, wasn’t too big for him. His journey into the Land of Water gave him courage to be confident and sure. When it was necessary for Walnut to return home without Gray Fire, all that Gray Fire had taught him enabled him to not only return home, but find and care for an orphaned child despite his visual impairment. At the conclusion of the story, Walnut’s family had adopted the orphaned child and Walnut was eager to one day search for the child’s parents. For him, it would complete the picture for himself and the child. The students in Bronx Masquerade had begun to bond. With a greater understanding about their classmates, the students realized a “connectedness” to each other and had begun to respect the uniqueness and individuality of the group. In the end, on page 164, Tyrone states it best: “ I feel like, even though the people in our class are all different colors and some of you speak a different language and everything, I feel like we connected, I feel like we’re not as different as I thought.” In conclusion, the function of storytelling in these two novels was to transform the characters and impact them in a positive way. Storytelling connected the characters in these two novels to themselves, their families, and their world. The characters succeeded in growing and learning. They developed stronger relationships with their loved ones and classmates. Stereotypes were broken down. Hope sprang. Confidence was gained. In the end, what more could an author wish to accomplish' Works Cited Dorris. Michael. Sees Behind Trees. New York: Hyperion Paperback Editions, 1999. Print. Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. New York, New York: Penguin Group, 2002 Print.