I found it rather interesting that even though Christmas was adopted at the end of chapter 6 he kept the last name of Christmas rather than staying with McEachern. In a way he had a chance to change his identity to fit in a white community. Why didn't take the opportunity?
I thought he did take the name, but he didn't care about what he was called because he still had the rest of his life to define who he is instead of being defined by his last name.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion , Christmas kept his name in order to remind him of his past. Since he is a somewhat pessimistic character, he might want to keep his past for the purpose of having a reason to being alone. As it shows in the story, he doesn't interact with other's as much and try's to keep a distance between people.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion , Christmas kept his name in order to remind him of his past. Since he is a somewhat pessimistic character, he might want to keep his past for the purpose of having a reason to being alone. As it shows in the story, he doesn't interact with other's as much and try's to keep a distance between people.
ReplyDeleteThe ending to chapter 6 shows Christmas's personality. By him taking his adopted's father last name, it shows to me that he doesn't really care because he knows it does not define him. Like Citlallli, I believe that he feels like he has the rest of his life to debate on his last name.
ReplyDeleteHe is probably proud of his racial background. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think Joe kept his last name as Christmas because it stills ties him back to his biological parents. That Christmas night he was forced to live a life of confusion and self-doubt and I feel like his last name is his tie back to how he would've have lived if his parents were in the picture. He constantly says that all he wants is peace. Do you think he would have achieved that inner zen if he was raised by 2 parents that although different, still care for him?
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with you Ali. I think keeping his given name was a way of Christmas to always stay in touch of his background. Also if he took McEachern's name he would be accepting the fact that he was fully white, which isn't true. I believe in a way he still wanted to have the fact that he is black with him but not have it evident to other people.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat, I can not agree with you because Christmas is not essentially worried about his race rather he is worried about where his race will take him.
DeleteSomewhat, I can not agree with you because Christmas is not essentially worried about his race rather he is worried about where his race will take him.
DeleteI also agree with the belief that Christmas took the name but rejected the concept of riding himself of his original name because that name is unquestionably his. It is that very name that separates himself from others, it's what makes him an individual and allows him to have his own identity. In a novel where is characters are outcasts and struggle to find themselves, a name is a powerful phrase that define who we are and Christmas is no different.
ReplyDeleteChristmas may feel obligated and that it is his duty to keep his name. Most likely, Christmas feels as if with a different name he will become someone else, in which could be good or diabolic.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with that because Christmas doesn't have an obligation to keep his name. I feel like everything he does has a purpose and and interior motive. The reason I believe he goes by Christmas is because he has run away from the McEachern's so he goes by the name no one would recognize.
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