Answer:
In her autobiography, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear, Lori Arviso Alvord weaves together her personal, educational, and cultural journey to reveal the complex relationship between her Navajo heritage and the mainstream US. Alvord uses various rhetorical choices to develop a strong connection between her journey and her sense of identity and self, including the use of vivid imagery, personal anecdotes, and emotional appeal.
One rhetorical choice that Alvord utilizes is vivid imagery. She describes her childhood on the Navajo reservation as sentimental and essential to her identity. She says, "I grew up with the smell of wood smoke, the sound of horses, and the taste of blue corn mush." This vivid description creates a sense of nostalgia and helps the reader understand the deep connection Alvord feels to her Navajo heritage. Similarly, when describing her experiences in medical school, Alvord writes, "The hospital became my world, the operating room my sanctuary." This helps the reader understand the transformative effect that medicine had on Alvord's life.
Alvord also uses personal anecdotes to strengthen the connection between her journey and her sense of identity. For example, she shares a story about performing surgery on a Navajo patient who was afraid to have surgery because he believed it would separate him from his spirit. This story is included to illustrate the importance of cultural sensitivity in medicine and to demonstrate her commitment to preserving and honoring Navajo traditions. Through this, Alvord humanizes herself and creates a strong emotional connection with the reader.
Finally, Alvord employs emotional appeal to further develop the connection between her journey and her sense of self. She writes about the challenges she faced as a Navajo woman in a predominantly white male field and the discrimination and prejudice she encountered along the way. By sharing these experiences, Alvord highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in medicine while also inspiring the reader with her perseverance and resilience in difficult times.
Lori Arviso Alvord's The Scalpel and the Silver Bear is a powerful testament to the importance of cultural identity and self-discovery. Through her use of vivid imagery, personal anecdotes, and emotional appeal, Alvord creates a strong connection between her journey and her sense of identity and self. Her autobiography is a powerful reminder that our cultural heritage can both shape and enrich our lives and that embracing our identity is essential to achieving our fullest potential.