- Historically, who were Phil Sheridan and George Wright? What significance does that have?
- (1803-1865), commanded troops during the Battle of Spokane Plains near modern-day Wellpinit, and hanged Chief Owhi and his son Qualchan in lousy faith after inviting them to negotiate. Wright winds up leaving Cavalry Records, consumed by guilt, and going to rest at the grave of his historical predecessor in California. Sheridan (1831-1888) was a general who pioneered scorch earth tactics during the Civil War and then oversaw the Indian Wars on the Great Plains. He is rumored to have said that the “only good Indian is a dead Indian.” The personality of this historical general breaks through into the present in one scene, where Sheridan threatens Checkers in an intense nightmare.
- Wright and Phil Sheridan were executives at Cavalry Records, who work under Armstrong. Sheridan is a perfect caricature of the slimy record executive, driven by commercial concerns and willing to compromise whatever morals necessary on the way to a successful signing. Both of them are the modern version of a famous U.S. Army Officer implicated in the slaughter of Native Americans.
Chapter 7
1) Why does Big Mom want Victor to stop playing Robert Johnson’s guitar? What does the guitar mean?
2) How does Victor react to Big Mom? What does that symbolize?
Chapter 8
1) Considering the Faustian elements in this story, what does Cavalry Records represent?
2) How did Junior’s experience with Lynn affect him? How does that relationship manifest in his present circumstances?
Chapter 9
- Robert Johnson made a deal with “the Gentleman” to be a great guitarist. Victor has the same talent that Johnson does–how does his situation differ?
- The novel, Johnson’s guitar acts similarly for the members of Coyote Springs, offering them the chance to escape the cycle of poverty and alcoholism on the reservation through musical fame and money. The guitar seems imbued with magical powers and to have a life of its own, bringing the band great success, but it is still linked to the devil (the Gentleman), and so in a way, it is a cursed object. The guitar ultimately ruins the band’s big moment when it “rebels” against Victor during their performance for Cavalry Records, thus showing how a “deal with the devil” always ends badly, and how fame can be a curse as well as a blessing. Coyote Springs brings joy and meaning to the band members for a while, but it also causes them great suffering. Likewise, the mystical guitar has the power to produce incredible, life-changing music, but always at a terrible cost to whoever plays it.
Chapter 10
- Why did Junior make the decision to commit suicide? Why did Victor choose differently?
- The reason for committing suicide is deep despair, driven partly by the reminder that Betty and Veronica were reminiscent of his relationship with Lynn. He does not have the stories or the music that allows Thomas to transform his despair into something magical. The silver flasks are inherited from the U.S. cavalrymen, a clear link between historical cruelty and the particular suffering of Natives today. On the other hand, Victor decided on giving up alcohol which he saw it could be a significant turning point in his life, and a chance to escape the cycle of suffering.