Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in What You Pawn I Will Redeem, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Native American Culture and Identity
Money, Capitalism, and Morality
Racism and Colonialism
Death and Grief
Summary
Analysis
Jackson and the Aleut cousins go to a diner called the Big Kitchen that serves homeless Indians. The four sit at a booth, and the waitress asks if they’ll need separate checks. Jackson tells her he is paying for everyone, and the waitress remarks that he’s generous. She calls him Mr. Professor and asks what they’d like to order. Jackson tells her to bring out as much food as $25 can buy, minus her tip. Jackson and the cousins retreat into their silence until their food arrives. Jackson finds it remarkable that so little money can go so far, and the four feast gratefully.
Again, Jackson spends most of his money on others. His commitment to helping his community makes it so that he is unable to thrive in a capitalist society that requires individuals hoard their wealth in order to be financially stable.
Themes
