Wily Coyote

5 Pages 1330 Words

Wily Coyote
“Coyote Holds a Full House in His Hand” is a story full of rich cultural symbolism associated with the Pueblo people of the southwestern United States. While carefully acknowledging this fact, the writer of this essay also confesses that much of the significance of these symbols are over her euro-american head, and respectfully chooses to approach the story from the aspect of elements that resonate with her. The story is an interesting presentation full of double entendre with the protagonist narrating the story in the third person giving the reader somewhat of a bizarre look at the “facts” through his eyes. Our protagonist, although fancying himself a bit of a “wily coyote,” is more closely what we would call today a loser. He lives, without gainful employment, with his enabling mother. She provides a roof and pays his bills while he justifies his lack of contribution. “Coyote” is a lonely soul who does not fare well with women. I find it a stretch to feel sorry for him since he walked away from a young woman who loved him and wanted to marry him because he understood she would expect him to provide for her. This clever slouch is not held in much esteem in his town, until one day he has an adventure that he believes will give him a fresh start in the men of his town’s eyes.
Coyote is disappointed that a fleshy Mexican lady postmistress has spurned him. As a result of her rejection, Coyote has begun courting through correspondence Mrs. Sekakaku, a lady from another village. Coyote is self-centered enough to believe the postmistress is jealous, even though he has decided she doesn’t like him because he drinks and though the Mexican lady makes it clear she disapproves of the perfumed, pastel letters sent to him by Mrs. Sekakaku. Coyote is hopeful that, with Mrs. Sekakaku in another village, he will have a fresh start, away from where “nobody understood just what kind of man he was. They th...