I'm Not the Indian You Had in Mind by Thomas King Poem Analysis Essay Example

The poem is very simple yet meaningful. The poet expresses his side very nicely and in a matter-of-fact manner. The words are rhyming, and the stanzas are well placed with different set of rhyming words. It brings about the discrimination he is facing but nicely explains his identity and purpose, the various jobs that First Nations do, the struggles they face to come up, the good qualities they possess. It also comes out that the poet has a lot of self-respect and self-confidence. The picture of First Nations that have set a negative stereotype was brought out in the stanza three: “The bear greased hair, the pungent smell, the piercing eye, the startling yell” (line 19-20). The poet is making his point clear about the type of Indian he is, in the stanza, “[The speaker] [is] that other Indian” (line 33) and in the subsequent stanzas, what they make for a living, what has been their struggles. The poet explains that they have learnt to be in this place by learning the ways of this place. The poet could voice his opinion and make people understand that though he is hurt by discrimination on their own land, he is very much determined to make his life successful and not bend down. This has touched my heart and my feelings go out what Indigenous people must be going through and the discrimination of being native. 

The poem, if structured differently, could be one of great anguish, pain, and anger. This tone of the poem would also create ripples in the minds of the readers, but the reaction would also be of pain and anger with no solution.  Overall, it would talk about the struggles but would awaken sympathy. This many hamper the future approach towards thinking about discrimination. The poem in its original form travels through the emotions of determination, self respect and stating facts which makes it an enjoyable read as well as brings out the feelings of the poet and the possible approach towards discrimination.