Short Fiction · Chapter
XII explained
Yogi Johnson is led by two woods Indians to a poolroom and then to an Indian club, where he meets a cast of eccentric characters including 'Red Dog,' 'Sitting Bull,' and 'Chief Running Skunk-Backwards.' The chapter is interrupted by an auth
What happens
Yogi Johnson is led by two woods Indians to a poolroom and then to an Indian club, where he meets a cast of eccentric characters including 'Red Dog,' 'Sitting Bull,' and 'Chief Running Skunk-Backwards.' The chapter is interrupted by an author's note addressing the reader directly, boasting about the writing process and lunch with John Dos Passos, and a postscript that self-consciously discusses the book's literary ambitions and autobiographical elements.
Themes in this chapter
The Absurdity of Authority and Religion
The author's notes and the club scene parody literary pretension and social hierarchies, mocking the idea of authority in art and culture.
Metafiction and the Role of the Reader
The chapter breaks the fourth wall repeatedly, with the author addressing the reader directly, discussing the writing process, and commenting on the story's autobiographical nature.
American Identity and Disillusionment
The wampum exchange and the portrayal of Indians as club members parody American history and identity, while Yogi's war injury reflects post-war disillusionment.
Characters to notice
- Yogi Johnson
Yogi is guided by two Indians to a poolroom and later to an Indian club, where he plays pool, drinks, and meets various characters.
- Chief Running Skunk - Backwards
A refined Indian at the club who shows Yogi a string of wampum and gives him a few as a keepsake.
- Massa Red Dog
A tall, refined Indian who introduces himself to Yogi at the club and explains the other Indians' backgrounds.
- Bruce
The Negro bartender at the Indian club who laughs uncontrollably at the wampum exchange.
- Indians
Various Indians appear throughout the chapter: the two woods Indians who lead Yogi, the town Indians at the club, and others.
- The Indian
A little Indian with artificial arms who plays pool with Yogi and laments his war injuries.
Key passages
“get you a job in the pump-factory." "Pump-factory, hell," the big Indian said. "We all go join Salvation Army." "Don't cry," Yogi said to the little Indian. "I'll buy you a new arm."”
Yogi offers to get the little Indian a job at the pump-factory, but the big Indian rejects the idea, suggesting they join the Salvation Army instead. Yogi tries to comfort the crying little Indian by promising to buy him a new arm.
This exchange highlights the absurdity and dark humor of the characters' post-war struggles.
“Author's Note to the Reader In case it may have any historical value, I am glad to state that I wrote the foregoing chapter in two hours directly on the typewriter, and then went out to lunch with John Dos Passos, whom I consider a very forceful writer, and an exceedingly pleasant fellow besides.”
The author directly addresses the reader, claiming he wrote the previous chapter in two hours and then had lunch with John Dos Passos, praising Dos Passos as a writer and companion.
This metafictional note breaks the narrative flow and comments on the writing process.
“P.S. from the Author to the Reader It is at this point, reader, that I am going to try and get that sweep and movement into the book that shows that the book is really a great book.”
In a postscript, the author tells the reader he will now attempt to add literary sweep and movement to prove the book is great.
This self-conscious commentary underscores the novel's metafictional and ironic tone.
“Behind the bar, Bruce, the Negro bartender, had been leaning forward and watching the wampums pass from hand to hand. His dark face shone. Sharply, without explanation, he broke into high-pitched uncontrolled laughter.”
Bruce, the bartender, observes the wampum exchange and suddenly bursts into uncontrollable, high-pitched laughter.
Bruce's laughter adds a surreal and haunting element to the club scene.
