Identity in "How I Became a Ghost"

Christina Bonfanti

“How I Became Ghost”

Category A, prompt D: Identity.

 "Finally, Old Man Spoke. "The young man is right," he said, nodding to me. "Every Choctaw needs to hear his words." Though my lips didn't move, my voice filled the air, and I heard myself say once more, "When the sun sets on this day, we want everyone to be safe. If they scatter Nita's bones, we will gather them. If they burn her bones, we will gather the ashes. We are Choctaws. We are stronger than the soldiers."" (p. 125)

     Tim Tingle's novel "How I Became Ghost" depicts the horrors that the Choctaw people experienced at the hands of US soldiers. While the soldiers may be able to force them out of their homes, they can not take their strength away from them. A strong identity as Choctaws is present throughout the novel. Even though the Choctaw people are being oppressed because of their race, they remain steady in what they believe and how they view themselves. The soldiers are oppressing them because of their identity, but their identity as strong Choctaws allows them to persevere.  

     I chose the passage on page 125 because I feel that it accurately portrays the Choctaw identity that is present throughout the book. Just before the passage I selected, Isaac is appearing as a ghost before his family, reassuring them before the soldiers arrive to search the camp. After he speaks, the camp is filled with hundreds of other Choctaw ghosts from their town, including "Old Man." The Choctaw's find strength in unity and Isaac's voice reassures them. Isaac (even though he is a ghost) is able to remind his family of the strength in their identity. When the family becomes worried about the soldiers taking away Nita's bones, he reminds them that what matters is that they are safe and together at the end of the day. He is able to calm their worry by saying that if the soldiers scatter the bones, then the family will gather them. If they burn them then they will gather the ashes. Isaac addresses the family's worries and gives them strength to recover and continue on. Isaac is implying that the soldiers can do whatever they please but the family will remain strong because they are Choctaws. Strength and resilience is part of their identity. Isaac continues on to say "We are Choctaws. We are stronger than the soldiers." Even though the soldiers have the upper hand, the Choctaws are stronger. The soldiers may be physically hurting them, but the Choctaws are emotionally strong. They are stronger than the soldiers because they understand who they are and they find strength and peace in their identity.