In Pursuit of the Good Life

A detailed Summary of In Pursuit of the Good Life

The protagonists in both short stories, Alice Walker's "Everyday UseaE? and Tom

Whitecloud's "Blue Winds Dancing,aE? are round characters. The character of Miss Johnson in "Everyday UseaE? is comfortable with the simple life, while Tom Whitecloud in "Blue Winds DancingaE? is attempting to find his niche in the world. Both authors use the first person narrative to give the reader a peek into their characters' respective worlds and lives. Closer examination of these stories show that a simpler lifestyle promotes contentment.

Christmas finds Tom Whitecloud, a young Native American, in college and half a continent away from home. His self-identity conflict develops out of homesickness and self-doubt. Whitecloud decides to make the long journey home by rail without a ticket. On his way home he contemplates his life both at college and home on his reservation. He observes that college life is preparing him for the fast track pace of the white man's world and is unsure if this is the path his life should follow.

Along the way, Whitecloud interacts with hobos and bums, noting that his sociology professor could learn a lot if he would come and listen to these men. As Whitecloud nears home, his thoughts shift toward the reserva

In both stories neither of the protagonists are intrigued by the extravagant lifestyle. Miss Johnson speaks about her older daughter's desire for "nice things,aE? (Roberts 90) but she sees that Dee's lifestyle is lacking in the basic, simple things that her life enjoys. Miss Johnson envisions Dee as shallow and has to fight the temptation to shake her. Whitecloud, as well, is not enamored by the lavish lifestyle. He does not want to run a race that has no ending and no goal. Whitecloud would rather not hysterically prepare for a life that is half over when he begins it. He does not want to be "always dissatisfied-getting a hill and wanting a mountain.aE?(Roberts 157) Miss Johnson and Whitecloud appear to have a predisposition toward a simpler lifestyle and a common desire to avoid the more flamboyant lifestyle.

In "Blue Winds Dancing,aE? Tom Whitecloud comes from a low-income background as evidenced by his anger at his people having to sell bits of pottery to make a living and his sister saving the "bits of red stringaE? from the Christmas presents he brings. (Roberts 159) He also states that his "village is not a sight to instill pride.aE?(Roberts 159) Whitecloud is also spiritual, he believes in his gods, stating, "The Indian lodge will fill with my people, and our gods will come and sit among them.aE?(Roberts 156) He dislikes white people telling him his gods are false and the Manitou, the Great Spirit, forgot his people. He is a family oriented man longing to be with family at Christmas time and doing whatever it takes to get there, including risking his life by hopping freight trains.

tion and loved ones. He becomes more preoccupied with nature and

Some common words found in the essay are:
Miss Johnson, Native American, Tom Whitecloud, Miss Johnson's, Grandma Dee, Winds DancingaE, Manitou Spirit, Johnson Maggie, Alice Walker, miss johnson, Deep South, simple life, everyday useae, tom whitecloud, blue winds dancingae, winds dancingae, blue winds, simpler lifestyle, south 1960s, quilts everyday, daughter college,

Approximate Word count = 1134
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English