Essay Questions

What is the subject matter of the poem ‘When My Brother Was an Aztec’ Natalie Diaz?

Struggling with drug addiction is the book's primary subject matter because the speaker narrates how her brother is besieged with hard drug addiction. The narrator is an indigenous American living in a reservation; she knows that drug abuse is part of that society's misfortunes. However, the reality of drug abuse strikes so hard because the narrator's brother cannot recognize his life's meaning. Most poems in this collection talk about the devastating effects of drug abuse. According to the narrator, there is a need to address drug addiction because it negatively impacts society.

How is the author hoping for a better future for the drug addicts?

The narrator's brother is addicted to drugs, but the family hopes that he will recover soon. However, the recovery process is a hectic process, which requires commitment and dedication, of which the narrator is hopeful that her brother will remain on track. The narrator's brother represents addicted youths in the reservation and the main challenges they are going through as they try to get out of drug abuse. The narrator is categorical that the addicts must be surrounded by loving people who hope it is easy to recover.

What is the meaning of life, according to the narrator?

According to the author, life's meaning is dependent on how people share their love with those suffering. The poems in these collections present the narrator, who is agonized with her brother's struggles as he tries to get out of addiction. Nevertheless, the love and involvement the family extends towards him will speed up his recovery. The meaning of life is sharing and being a part of other's lives. The addicts need love and guidance from their family members and friends. The situation can be made worse if the people around the addicts humiliate them. However, family and friends can extend their love towards the addicts, which plays a critical role in speeding their recovery.