Victor opened his eyes and hit the first chord hard. Junior and Thomas let him play alone; Chess and Checkers stepped back. Victor grew extra fingers that roared up and down the fingerboard. He bent strings at impossible angles and hit a note so pure that the guitar sparked. The sparks jumped from the guitar to a sapling and started a fire. It was a good thing that Chess and Checkers had extensive firefighting experience, and they hurriedly doused the flames, but Victor continued to toss sparks. His hair stood on end, his shirt pitted with burn holes, and his hands blistered. Victor raised his right arm high above the reservation and windmilled the last chord, which echoed for hours. He dropped the guitar, staggered back a few steps, then bowed. (78) Explanation: After witnessing Victor play, Chess and Checkers agree to join the band Coyote Springs. To emphasize Victor’s ability with Robert Johnson’s guitar, Sherman Alexie exaggerates his description of Victor by stating that he “grew extra fingers.” This technique is characteristic of Alexie’s style and is prevalent throughout Reservation Blues. This passage is significant to the novel as a whole because it again emphasizes the power of music to heal and join people together, particularly the Native American characters. Yet, the danger of fire looms over this scene. Although it can bring rebirth, fire also symbolizes death and destruction, foreshadowing the potential dangers of corruption, fame, and greed that await Coyote Springs. . .
Victor raised his right arm high above the reservation and windmilled the last chord, which echoed for hours. He dropped the guitar, staggered back a few steps, then bowed. (78)
Explanation:
After witnessing Victor play, Chess and Checkers agree to join the band Coyote Springs. To emphasize Victor’s ability with Robert Johnson’s guitar, Sherman Alexie exaggerates his description of Victor by stating that he “grew extra fingers.” This technique is characteristic of Alexie’s style and is prevalent throughout Reservation Blues. This passage is significant to the novel as a whole because it again emphasizes the power of music to heal and join people together, particularly the Native American characters. Yet, the danger of fire looms over this scene. Although it can bring rebirth, fire also symbolizes death and destruction, foreshadowing the potential dangers of corruption, fame, and greed that await Coyote Springs. . .