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WRITING OUT LOUD
TCC Book Club

Study Questions for Michael's
WAY DOWN YONDER IN THE INDIAN NATION

  1. What are some of the prevailing stereotypes of Oklahoma and how does WAY DOWN YONDER IN THE INDIAN NATION contradict them?
     
  2. We often fail to recognize the uniqueness of what has become overly familiar to us. What surprising insights did you get into Oklahoma after reading the Wallis book?
     
  3. What surprising ironies have you discovered in the lives of the distinguished Oklahomans Wallis has portrayed in the book?
     
  4. Wallis also does character studies of Oklahomans who are not nationally known. What noteworthy qualities does he find in them and their experiences?
     
  5. What cultural significance does Wallis find on Route 66, "the mother road"?
     
  6. What overall themes seem to emerge from WAY DOWN YONDER IN THE INDIAN NATION?
     
  7. Why does Wallis focus more on Woody Guthrie's home community than he does on the man himself?
     
  8. How would you describe Michael Wallis's tone as he writes about barbecue?
     
  9. What full-length books has Wallis developed from the essays in this collection?
     
  10. What people portraits would you add to WAY DOWN YONDER IN THE INDIAN NATION?
     
  11. Wallis writes about some famous Oklahoma ghosts. What larger myths does he discover throughout the book?
     
  12. The 101 Ranch was a major attraction in its day. How could it literally and figuratively disappear from our contemporary landscape?
     
  13. In "Searching for Hidden Rhythms in Twilight Land," what does Michael Wallis mean when he describes Oklahoma as "a puzzling place"?
     
  14. In the introduction to WAY DOWN YONDER IN THE INDIAN NATION, Wallis suggests that Oklahoma does not have a good self-image. What examples does he use to make his point? What examples could you add?
     
  15. It has been said that if Oklahoma is all you know, you don't know Oklahoma. How would this statement relate to your study of the Wallis book?