Examples Of Escapism In Stars By Drew Hayden Taylor

Following the recent global pandemic, escapism is an idea riddling its way through society. The concept of escapism is abundant in the short story “Stars” by Drew Hayden Taylor. By weaving new flavors into escapism through the effects of colonization, Taylor highlights the fantasy of escapism faced by Indigenous youth. To begin, the author flawlessly uses Walter’s story to exhibit the marriage between intergenerational trauma and escapism. Walter recalls how “his father had yelled at him repeatedly that night, spitting droplets of beer [...]. As usual, neither his father nor his mother rushed out the door after him [...]. Other parents [...] would have followed such an angry and upset boy out of the house” (Taylor 114). Taylor uses Walter's parents to portray the ongoing effects of colonization, as they neglect Walter’s emotions, not caring to check up on him

The following generations rely on drugs or alcohol to cope with their trauma, as Walter's father seems to be doing. Walter’s lonely home life leads him to enjoy school and develop an interest in life on other planets, as he views both as escapes from the reality he endures at home. Due to Walter's lonely home life caused by the effects of colonization, he gets lost in thoughts of escapism, proving how the idea of escapism favors itself in Indigenous communities. Taylor continues the narrative by juxtaposing Walter's and Eric's stories, utilizing irony. Eric’s “father had never noticed Eric’s midnight absences. He was always too busy or too tired [...]. [Twelve] to fourteen years were needed before [...] his father [...] and other colonists would be released from their twelve-hour work days” (117-118). Irony is present in Eric’s story, as Walter hopes for a better life on the planet Eric is on, just for Eric to suffer similar struggles of neglect caused by colonial