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Emilio Arias
Project 3 Final Draft
8 November 2016
When Violence and Humor Come Together
In his article, The Efficacy of Humor in Sherman Alexies Flight: Violence, Vulnerability
and the Post-9/11 World, Joseph Coulombe examines how Sherman Alexie, through Flight,
refuses US exceptionalism, drawing parallels to 9/11 showcasing the brutality which the US has
inflicted on other sovereign entities. Through these scenes Coulombes article analyzes and
confronts violence, exposes the conditions that lead to violence, and the way that people deal
with deception and conflict. Lastly, Coulombe goes over the sharp contrast in which Alexie
applies humor in the novel, shifting toward a more destructive and isolating tone, unlike that of
many Native American authors.
Coulombe begins his analysis by interpreting the use of time travel in the novel. In Flight
Alexie transports the main character, Zits, to different time periods in which violence and
deception are at the heart of each conflict. Some scenes in which Zits is sent into draw parallels
to 9/11, in which cruelty and pain is inflicted onto a group by the United States. Coulombe draws
from these conflicts the idea that violent responses to terrorism result from historical ignorance
and spawn more conflict. (Coulombe. 132) Further into the analysis Coulombe recognizes the
idea of incommensurability, the thought that nothing like 9/11 has ever occurred in the US. He
negates this idea, seeing as how Flight depicts scenes in which the US has attacked and
destroyed Native American lives and communities. Coulombe points to other writers who hold
similar thoughts on the issue. Don DeLillo writes as to how many people believe America

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created the future and everyone is comfortable with the idea of it. America destroyed the future
of many other communities to advance their needs. Coulombe extends this idea by borrowing
passages from Flight that support it. In the instance in which Zits takes over the body of his
drunken father he notices that hes wearing a shirt that says fighting terrorism since 1492
(Flight 133). In this depiction Columbus and ultimately all the settlers that come to America are
terrorists that Native Americans must fight.
Another point that Coulombes article dwells into is the how violence is depicted and
how specifically the American government justifies its acts of terrorism to protect themselves.
Coulombe uses the scenes in which Zits becomes Hank Storm, an FBI agent working against
tribal sovereignty in Red River, Idaho to showcase such points. His partner Art justifies their
brutal treatment of American Indians by stating how they are at war and sometimes they must do
violent and tough things. Coulombe sees the flaw in their situation and supports his claims by
citing statements by Judith Butler. He comes to terms with Butlers statement that there is
tendency for some politicians to sentimentalize crime, rather than responding with solutions and
creating a distinction between those who are allowed to inflict pain and those who arent.
Coulombe also cites Michael Rothberg who similarly states that the American government
focuses more on the feelings rather than the political tactic to counter terrorism. Both these
points allow Coulombe to extend his idea that terrorism should be fought with reason rather
than feeling. (Coulombe. 135)
The first half of the article finishes by discussing the affects that violence has on
individuals, especially those who are constantly exposed to it. Coulombe analyzes the character
Abbad and his treatment as a Muslim American. Steven Salaita faults Alexie for incorrectly
recognizing the historical context for terrorist violence. Coulombe disagrees with Salaita and

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counters his point. He states that since Alexie didnt characterized Abbad as the typical terrorist
he ignored the historical circumstances that lead to violence. Judith Butler points out that the
narrative allows for a different evaluation of the typical terrorist storyline. Coulombe directs his
attention to Alexie. His story places blame on the individual rather than the racist belief and
practices held by many. That way Abbad is no longer seen as a terrorist just because hes
Muslim. Rather his anger and frustration comes from the mistreatment that occurs to him and his
family. In a similar way Zits lashes out to the world because hes mistreated and labeled as
undesirable.
The last subject that Coulombes article goes over is the use of humor in Flight and the
shift that occurs within the book. Coulombe understands that in the novel humor has many
usages but a prominent attribute is the way in which it allows Zits to hide himself from reality
and attack others. An example is seen when Zits is in the holding cell and a black kid asks him
where hes from. Zits responds by saying Im from a little town called Eat me. (Flight. 20)
Two other kids in the cell laugh and that was Zits intention but at the same time his response
could create conflict with the black kid. Daniel Grassian holds similar thoughts, stating how
Alexie learned those abilities of defense on the Indian reservation. Coulombe agrees with Paul
Lewis when he states that humor at its worst can create conflict and distance oneself from others.
Coulombe also cites Eva Gruber stating how gallows humor allows a person to make a harsh
reality bearable by distancing or detaching oneself. When Zits perceives a challenge, he uses
humor to react but in effect creates conflict, both with people and the law. Coulombe notes that
in Flight humor doesnt protect Zits and undermines its original intentions. He extends his point
that Humor allows a momentary reprieve from a confusing reality; it is a method of selfprotection that delays an inevitable reckoning. (Coulombe. 141) When Zits goes into the lobby

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of the bank with the guns he begins dancing, mocking the ghost dance of native Americans, and
when he pulls out the guns a man questions if Zits is real or not. This prompts Zits to question
whether he truly is real and if everyone in the bank is real too or if theyre all just ghosts. Then
he questions if a ghost can kill another ghost. Zits makes light of the situation to distract the
reader from the morbid scene that takes place as he shoots everyone in the lobby.
Coulombes essay on violence in the post 9/11 world and the use of humor in Flight drew
upon deep analysis of the text, both from Alexies views and the writing of others. Most his
points agreed upon the ideas found in Flight but when it comes to the portrayal of Abbad I
disagree with both Alexie and Coulombe. Finally, I believe that Flight and True Diary allow for a
different portrayal of humor and showcase how individuals use it to cope with their issues.
One of the first points made in the article is Flight suggests that violent responses to
terrorismindividual as well as governmentalresults from historical ignorance and spawn
more conflict. (Coulombe. 132) This is a parallel to what Alexie states in the novel, Is revenge
a circle inside of a circle inside of a circle? (Flight. 77) Both passages reason for why violence
occurs today in the modern world. We should be civilized people with morals but instead there is
constant fighting between different factions. Our history of violence and hatred toward each
other transfers over generations and therefore peace can never be found. Coulombe later states
but perpetrators of violence create specious justifications that grant them the authority to kill,
thus perpetuating the cycle. (Coulombe. 134) This continues the idea of the cycle of violence
and another example is seen when Zits takes over the body of Hank Storm. After their
confrontation with IRON and the death of an indigenous youth Hank wakes up in the hospital
and his partner Art comes and talks to him. When Hank asks what happened with the native
youth they killed Art brushes off the problem, stating In order to fight evil, sometimes we have

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to do evil things. (Flight. 56) This perpetuates the cycle of violence but it also shows the flaw in
which people think. Art tries to justify his violent actions by stating that it was necessary to kill
the native youth. Everyone believes they are doing the right thing but its only those who have
their actions justified by a higher authority that are deemed correct and that is a dangerous
thought process.
A point I would like to argue against Coulombe is the way Alexie uses Abbad to talk
about the treatment of Muslim American and effect of violence on the individual. Coulombe
states by characterizing the terrorist as aberrant, Alexie ignores the historical circumstances that
lead to violent acts. (Coulombe. 136) By portraying Abbad as a terrorist Alexie is shedding light
on the idea of the modern terrorist and denouncing all the stereotypes. Alexie puts blame on the
circumstances in Abbad finds himself because he is Muslim. Therefore, when he commits his act
of terrorism with the plane it isnt because hes forwarding the stereotype of Muslims but rather
that he hates the society for the way it treats him and his family. I disagree with Alexie and
Coulombe. Abbad flies a plane into downtown Chicago, killing and injuring many in the process.
This scene draws heavily upon the 9/11 twin tower attack and thus portrays Abbad as any other
terrorist. Even Jimmy, Abbads closest friend states Oh Abbad, you are a murderer. Oh, Abbad
you are a betrayer. (Flight. 197) To me, Alexie continues the stereotype of Muslims in his book
although he tries to pin point the reason for the violent act on the individual rather than the racist
beliefs.
When Coulombe discusses humor in his article he focuses on the negative affects it has
on Zits, distancing him from society and restricting empathy from others. Although this is true
for most the novel Zits comes to rely on humor as a method for coping with his faults. When Zits
initially meets Justice he isnt sure how to interact with him. Justice seems interested in Zitss

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face and Zits takes note of that. He questions Justice if hes a fag or something and states I dont
care if hes a fag. I just know that fag is a powerful insult. (Flight. 21) Immediately after stating
that Zits notices how clear Justices complexion is and how good his face looks. He then
questions his own sexuality and says maybe hes a fag. In that small conversation Zits uses
humor to cope with his own issues and redirect his problems to someone else. Another instance
that Alexie uses humor to deal with issues is in True Diary. As Junior is being picked up from
school by his father after learning that his sister has died he begins to laugh. I started laughing. I
was so relivedjumped into the car, and hugged my dad. I laughed and laughed and laughed.
(True Diary. 204) Junior is emotional after learning that his sister has died but he doesnt know
any other way to cope with it except making light of the situation. Even his father is confused by
the situation but does not intervene. Humor in Alexies novels may at times have dark undertones
but ultimately it allows for characters to deal with their problems or flaws in their own fashion.
Coulombes article directs the readers attention to Flight and the points it tries to make
about violence and the efficacy of applying humor to violent situations. The parallels drawn to
9/11 make the reader think about the moral dilemma which the country lives in. We say that
terrorism will not prevail but at the same time the country itself was created through terrorist acts
and the destruction of peaceful natives. In the end, it is up to the American people whether they
should accept their past and come to terms with it or live a false and harsh reality.

Work Cited

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Coulombe, Joseph L. The Efficacy of Humor in Sherman Alexie's Flight: Violence,

Vulnerability, and the Post-9/11 World. MELUS 39. 1 (Spring 2014): 13048
Alexie, Sherman. Flight: A Novel. New York: Black Cat, 2007. Print.
Alexie, Sherman, and Ellen Forney. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.
New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.