What do you think about the relationship between Thomas and Victor?
The movie "Smoke Signals" is about two young indians who travel to Pennsylvania and on the way learn some things about each other in weird ways I would say. Thomas and Victor never seemed to get along growing up and never really liked each other as kids, they grew up in the same little town but couldn't have less in common. And when you see them grown up it seems as if they still have problems with each other. Victor is called away and it so happens that Thomas is the one who's able to pay for the trip but in return has to go with him. I think the relationship between thomas and victor is quite amusing. They seem as if they're brothers in a way and they learn things about each other through the fighting and arguing. Though it didn't seem like it, they had a strong bond because they both related in the fact that they lost their fathers and I think Victor was just mean to Thomas because maybe he had a lot of anger and that's who he took it out on.
Along the way, they teach each other life lessons. Thomas, who has a sensitive nature and is a storyteller, shows Victor that there's more to living than cynicism and built up anger. Victor tells Thomas what it means to be a real Indian. "Indians ain't supposed to smile. Get stoic. If you don't look mean, white people won't respect you." For Thomas, the trip from Idaho to Arizona means an opportunity to come to grips with his ancestry. For Victor, it's a chance to forgive his estranged father in death. It was interesting and entertaining to watch how Thomas and Victor interacted with each other. I think the overall story is about they growing up with their struggles together. I don't think it had any particular type of plot.
Hailey:
ReplyDeleteInteresting thing to point out about this movie, that the boys taught each other to get along...that really was an eye opener to ponder further of what I didnt think about.
This is a skill and we need to learn to use it with compassion and sharing...loyality, conflict, resolution, develops friendships that usually wont be compromised!! We must learn how to use each others language to connect
Thank you for giving me more to expand with on this movie ...Daye
Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI don't think that they had a mutual dislike for each other as kids. Victor might have disliked Thomas, but Thomas always looked up to him. He was always trying to tell him stories and have interactions with him. Maybe that's the reason he was so willing to pay for the trip to Arizona. It would give him the opportunity to once again spend some time with his friend.
Victor wasn't very kind towards him, but Thomas was probably understanding of his attitude. He knew the pain he was experiencing because he knew what it was like to lose a parent. It shows a lot of Thomas' good qualities. He tried to be a good friend and he was hopeful that one day Victor would change, which he did at the end.
Hello Hailey, I can see what you mean. Victor did pour out his anger on Thomas, but the the reason why was because Thomas was partially annoying, and irritated Victor a lot. I guess Victor was frustrated a lot.
ReplyDeleteThere relationship was weird, but the good thing about it was, they learned about each other. Victor learned to lighten up about things, and Thomas learned to not exaggerate as much.
Both of them,seemed like they have bonded, and there friendship has grown more, every since they came back from their trip.
I liked reading your response!
Thanks, Lesley
Hi Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you discussed the scene where Victor talks about what it means to be "a real Indian." The fact that he thinks they're supposed to be "stoic" says something about the way Victor copes with life.
In the face of genocide, colonization, reservation life, and a host of issues related to all three, he expects other indigenous Americans to be stoic; in other words, he expects them to put on a mask. We can imagine the psychological cost of the mask, and we see in the film its cost on Victor who refuses to deal with his emotions.
Also, they travel to Arizona.
Thanks for your insights.
Take care,
Lauren