Question

Why do Martin’s friends appreciate his ‘Grandpa’ in the short story, The Medicine Bag? How does peer pressure affect Martin’s attitude towards his ‘Grandpa’? Answer in 200-250 words.

Answer 1

In Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve’s short story “The Medicine Bag,” Martin’s friends like his grandfather because Martin and his sister Cheryl have made Native American culture seem more beautiful. They make up exciting stories about their grandfather and the tribe to make them sound more interesting. Friends who have only seen Native Americans in movies and on TV are very interested in these stories and the real Sioux artifacts that Martin and Cheryl bring back from their trips, like the moccasins and the leather drum. Their friends are fascinated by Grandpa because of these stories and things that make him seem like a figure of knowledge and tradition.

Peer pressure, on the other hand, has a big effect on how Martin feels about his grandfather. When Grandpa shows up out of the blue in their neighborhood, Martin feels bad about how he looks and acts. The modern, city setting doesn’t go with Grandpa’s old-fashioned clothes, frail look, or traditional ways, which makes Martin feel bad in front of his friends. He is afraid that his friends will make fun of Grandpa because he is not what they thought a “TV Indian” would be like. Martin stays away from Grandpa at first and doesn’t bring him to his friends because he’s afraid of being judged.

Even so, Martin’s mood starts to change when his friends meet Grandpa for real. They admire him because of his stories, his knowledge, and the way he dresses in a traditional way. This good response changes Martin’s view of Grandpa, making him proud of his family history and getting over his earlier shame. In the end, Martin originally struggles with peer pressure, but it also helps him value his grandfather and his cultural legacy more.