Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Code Talker, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Memory, Language, and Identity
The Navajo Way and the Life of the Warrior
Culture and Patriotism
War, Healing, and Peace
Summary
Analysis
Though Ned is bored and lonely at first, he keeps working hard at school—a survival strategy. Other kids, rather than fighting, retreat inside themselves. Most of the teachers don’t expect very much from Navajo students, and the students, in turn, give them little. But Ned’s lifelong love of learning helps him press on.
Ned copes by throwing himself into learning, even though his teachers do not expect him to be capable. His learning, then, is not just a way of pleasing his teachers—it’s a key to his own survival and thus a way of indirectly serving his family and his people.
Themes
Even though Ned remains small—too small to find a refuge in sports, like some of his friends do—he knows there’s no limit to the growth of his mind. Not wanting to draw attention to himself or shame his classmates, he keeps quiet in class, but he earns high marks on all of his tests and written work. His teachers notice and praise him, saying he’s “almost as bright as a little white child.” Ned resolves to become a teacher himself—one who expects the best from all his students.
Though Ned thrives academically, he avoids showing off or doing anything that would make his peers for ashamed for not doing as well. This shows that Ned is attentive to others’ needs and doesn’t put his own success first. His goal of becoming a teacher also illustrates his commitment to his people and desire to work hard for their sake—even though white society, as embodied by the mission school, clearly doesn’t believe that Navajo people are worthy of respect.
Themes
Because of his love of learning and his newfound goal, time begins to pass more quickly for Ned. One day, he graduates from the mission school. He does so well academically that, to his joy, he is accepted into the high school program. Navajo High School is much closer to his parents’ home, meaning that he can visit his family every weekend. Also, the quality of the teaching and classes is much higher. There is even a real library.
Ned’s hard work pays off, giving him the first of many rewards that his persistence and resilience will lead to throughout the novel.
Themes
In his first year of high school, Ned writes a social studies paper about Japan. At that time, the Japanese people were suffering from starvation and devastating earthquakes. Soon after, the students of Navajo High School hold a food drive for the Japanese people. Even though their families are relatively poor themselves, they collect two big crates of canned goods for the relief of the Japanese people.
Ned has a natural interest in faraway places, but he doesn’t suspect how significant his interest in Japan will later prove to be. The Navajo people show a natural sympathy toward others who’ve suffered hardship like they have, even people thousands of miles away whom they might never meet.
Themes
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