Article Review on What You Pawn I Will Redeem

Article Review on What You Pawn I Will Redeem
The story is about a man called Jackson, a Native Indian, and his adventures while trying to raise even funds to get the regalia that belonged to his grandmother. He saw the regalia in a pawn shop and realized that it belonged to his family (5). The whole process led to changes in his life. He lost two of his close friends, met new Indian friends, and learned about the people who could help him when in trouble. A police officer also aided in the acquisition of the final five dollars for the shop. As a matter of fact, the experience brought memories of his parents and how they interpreted the death of the grandmother. Every time he thought about the traditional powwow regalia, he could wake up and work towards getting it. As a result, the ordeal promoted healing as a person on his family and friends.
One of the significant reasons why he needed to get the antique back revolves on how the woman died. According to the article, he felt that perhaps the lost Regalia had something to do with her breast cancer. He says, “I wondered if my grandmother’s cancer had started when somebody stole her powwow regalia” (7). The normal assumption is that childhood years define what any person pictures as normal. As such, Jackson thought that getting the regalia would somehow heal her grandmother. Even though, the woman was dead, the fact that the cloth item returned to the family would bring some spiritual comfort. He continues to state that, “…I could bring grandmother back to life if I bought back her regalia” (7).

In so doing, the journey might prove advantageous to the character because it brings him closure after all that time. Therefore, redeeming the regalia is important because it allows Jackson to connect with his relative as well as brings spiritual healing to him.
Moreover, the author defines one of the organizations as one which “empowers the poor and homeless and mobilizes the public around poverty issues” (8). The definition explains the main theme of the literature because the quest provides an opportunity for Jackson to meet new people and learn from them. Another good example is the encounter with Big Boss where he says, “That’s a strange number” (8). The Big Boss is a manager of the local organization. He gives Jackson fifty papers to sell to get the money. From the conversation, it is clear that a manager is a person who does not enjoy giving away money freely but wants to employ them to better their lives. His policy appears strange given that Jackson is fond of him. The level of comfort is so high that Jackson allows Big Boss to nickname him, “Jackson-to-the second-power” (8). The relationship is constructive because Jackson ends up healing while breaking through with Big Boss. The story suggests that Jackson benefits from helping others. Jackson was unable to sell for a while due to lack of sobriety. The motivation to do more led to the sale of five newspapers. Thus, the process of recovering the regalia turns out delivering him from his inability.
Furthermore, the quest for the regalia might be good for Jackson because of its connection to his parents. The parents were as confused about the breast cancer and the death of the grandmother as Jackson was. The father talks about the disease originating from the uranium mine (7). He applies a scientific explanation because he knows that it makes sense. Also, the statement reduces any blame or guilt associated with her fate. On the other hand, the mother thinks that it started after a motorbike accident. Failure of the ribs to heal properly could have caused cancer (7). All these beliefs from his parents suggest that everyone in the family suffered a lot. The regalia might act as a remembrance of a good time for their family. All those memories motivated Jackson to wake up from the streets and try to regain his sense of responsibilities. These instances of realizations might prove beneficial because he remembers how it feels to have money and to work for a better life.
The search for regalia allows him to develop because he discovered who his true friends are. For example, Rose of Sharon disappears after a drunken spree without saying goodbye as illustrated in, “Rose of Sharon was gone when I woke” (6). When a person thinks about what happens, it becomes clear. She ran away after realizing that they needed to make a thousand dollars in a day. The story continues with Jackson waking up to look for the money. Later on, he walks back to the street and finds that his other friend Junior is gone (12). Rose went to live with her sister while Junior went to another place and died. The fact that these three friends are required to produce such a large amount of money but end up spending what they have proves the destructive relationship. “Rose of Sharon, Junior, and I…spent it to buy three bottles of imagination” (6) suggests that they were drunkards and on the verge of financial disaster. The quest for the regalia made the first two disappear and as such, forced him to act on his own. Subsequently, the discovery of the regalia and his efforts delivered him from danger and taught him well.
The last section suggests that the shop and regalia were symbolic items intended for healing and development. The Aleuts vanished, and many people believed they either drowned or went back home (23). Their ending appears to dwell on heading home and gaining closure. The theme concurs with the other part where Jackson looks for the shop until he finds it. Interestingly enough, the shop owner accepted the five dollars after he had sawed it was different from what Jackson had the previous day (25). He felt that the person must have worked hard to get another note. The decision of the shop owner appears to suggest that all that mattered was an effort. Besides, if he had an opportunity to witness the changes that occurred within the last twenty-four hours, he would assert that it was worth more than a thousand dollars. Also, Jackson walks out wearing the antique and feels like his grandmother (25). The story suggests that he knew that the bead of imperfection on the regalia made him feel accepted by his ancestors. More so, a feeling that implies that he was free. Conclusively, the quest was a chance to reconnect emotionally with his family, particularly the grandmother together with delivery from harmful habits.