Sherman Alexie is a Native American author who learned how to knock down the obstacles of poverty and racism through a Superman comic book.  In the story “superman and me”, you see that Alexie embraces the fact that he’s different and is destined to be more than just another poor Indian living on a reservation. The comic taught him to not lose hope, believe in his strength and uses his wisdom to open doors for himself and also pave the way for others Indians who go through similar struggles.

In the story “the movie that changed my life”, you learn how watching the Wizard of Oz helped Terry McMillan get through adversities and teaches her valuable life lessons. Just like Dorothy, terry searched for a way to escape the harsh realities of the way they lived. At the end of the movie they both found that having faith, hope, courage, wisdom and friendship could get them through anything.

The similarities between Sherman Alexie and Terry McMillan both grew up in poor homes and both found wisdom, understanding and inspiration in fictional stories. The difference between the two authors is that they used what they learned from these fictional stories in different ways.