Book SummaryCrazy Brave, by Joy Harjo

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Crazy Brave

Family history, heritage, and early influences

This section explores how the author's mixed ancestry shaped her identity, upbringing, and worldview. Joy Harjo's formative years were deeply influenced by the complex legacy passed down from her ancestors, along with the unique traits of her mother and father and the tumultuous nature of their relationship.

The author's identity and upbringing were influenced by her heritage, which includes Creek and Cherokee roots.

Harjo skillfully blends her familial past with significant cultural and historical occurrences, showing that her individual narrative is deeply intertwined with the broader tales of Native American endurance and perseverance.

The author's ancestry features distinguished individuals from the Creek nation, including Samuel Checotah.

Her father's lineage was deeply rooted in the traditional governance practices of the Creek Nation. Six generations before, his forebear Monahwee was a respected figure deeply engaged in the Red Stick War, a significant native uprising opposing the expansion of American territories. Samuel Checotah, another forefather, became the first principal chief of the Mvskoke upon their establishment in the region currently recognized as Oklahoma. Harjo's father possessed a profound sense of pride and connection to his Creek Nation lineage, yet this legacy was intertwined with the weight of historical grief and the dispossession of their territory.

Harjo's paternal figure, while firmly entrenched in Creek customs, struggled to carve out a distinct personal identity within his community. The author portrays him as predominantly spirit, with only a small fraction of his essence being physical, frequently immersed in a dimension that transcends the terrestrial world. His mother may have bequeathed him an artistic tendency, which lay hidden under a layer of anger, a facade he assumed to cope with the hostility from his father. Harjo's father pursued transient solace through alcohol, ephemeral relationships, and his passion for music, but such decisions only led to greater challenges and further estrangement from his heritage.

Practical Tips

• Engage with local history by visiting museums or historical sites related to the cultures and leaders who shaped your region. This hands-on approach can deepen your understanding of the past and its influence on the present, much like learning about the significance of a principal chief can enhance one's knowledge of a community's history.
• Create a personal reflection journal to draw parallels between historical events and current life challenges, noting how the resilience and actions of ancestors like Monahwee can inspire modern problem-solving.
• Create a personal "heritage capsule" with items that reflect your lineage. Gather or create items that have cultural significance to you and your family's history, such as recipes, music, traditional attire, or photographs. Place these in a special box or digital folder. If your ancestors were from a coastal region, for example, you might include seashells or recordings of sea shanties that they might have sung.
• Engage in a new community activity that is outside of your usual interests or comfort zone, such as a different cultural festival, sport, or social group. This can provide a fresh perspective on how you see yourself and how you are seen by others, potentially leading to a stronger sense of personal identity within your community.
• Create a visual representation of your 'spiritual self' through art or writing. This could be a drawing, painting, or a written piece that expresses how you perceive your spirit. The act of creating can be a powerful way to explore and acknowledge the parts of yourself that aren't tied to your physical presence.
• Create a 'facade feedback' group with peers where you can share experiences of when you've used emotional facades and get insights into how these facades are perceived by others. Meet regularly to discuss these experiences and provide constructive feedback. This group can serve as a support system to help each member understand the impact of their emotional responses on others and learn from each other's experiences.
• Create a personal ritual for tough days that involves a non-destructive comfort activity, like taking a long walk, having a cup of tea while watching the sunset, or listening to a specific playlist that uplifts your mood. This strategy is about establishing healthy coping mechanisms that can be turned to instead of harmful ones. If you're feeling overwhelmed, your ritual could be the signal to pause and take care of your emotional well-being.
• Consider writing a personal essay or journal entry reflecting on decisions you've made and how they've affected your connection to your heritage. Focus on key life choices regarding education, career, and relationships, and assess whether they brought you closer to or further from your cultural roots. This introspective exercise can provide clarity on how your choices align with your heritage.

The writer's mother, of both European and Cherokee descent, faced conflict within her family due to her mixed heritage.

Joy Harjo's mixed heritage of Cherokee and European descent brought about a range of individual struggles and encounters with society. Her allure and magnetism provided her with resilience, yet also exposed her to potential harm. Joy Harjo's mother conveyed her emotions through the composition of music, especially by singing and crafting songs. Her significant achievements were often overshadowed by domestic life and a turbulent marriage. She left her impoverished family of tenant farmers, pursuing a more promising life in Tulsa, despite her father's objections and facing disapproval from her maternal figure. Her determination to find love and stability led her to marry Harjo's father, despite his reputation for infidelity.

The mixed heritage she possessed often led to...

Crazy Brave Summary Trauma, abuse, and personal struggles

This part of the narrative delves into the considerable challenges Harjo encountered, including the physical and psychological harm her stepfather caused, as well as her personal struggles with episodes of panic and bouts of depression. The author shares these deeply personal experiences to illustrate the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of trauma.

The author's stepfather caused both physical and psychological suffering to the author as well as her family members.

She was overwhelmed with profound fear and fought tirelessly to keep going. Harjo and her siblings grew up in a household where her stepfather's oppressive behavior created a sense of confinement and a constant risk of danger. The author’s unflinching account of this abuse provides a stark reminder of the hidden traumas that many children endure and the lasting impact they can have on their lives.

The author's stepfather administered physical punishment, instilling fear throughout the household and impacting every child.

The union of Joy Harjo's mother with a new partner brought into their household a man whose presence was a source of deep fear. The seemingly charming facade of her...

Crazy Brave Summary Education, community, and artistic development

This section delves into the crucial influence that education and community had in steering Harjo's path toward self-discovery and the evolution of her artistic identity. She embarked on a journey of recovery from previous wounds and came to appreciate her distinctive abilities by engaging with a setting that fostered support and was favorable to creative expression.

The writer experienced a significant change while attending the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Harjo portrays IAIA as a sanctuary, where she ultimately experienced a feeling of inclusion and acceptance. The institution served not only as a center for scholarly endeavors but also as a supportive environment where like-minded individuals could come together in their passion for creative expression.

The IAIA provided the author with a supportive atmosphere where she was among other Indigenous individuals also engaged in creative pursuits.

Her experience at the institution focused on Indigenous American arts was transformative. She departed from the stifling environment of her stepfather's residence and became part of a group of Native American students who shared her enthusiasm for the arts and...

Crazy Brave Summary Motherhood, relationships, and the search for identity and purpose

This section of the book delves into the complex elements of the author's personal experiences, exploring her roles as a parent, her relationships, and her ongoing pursuit of understanding herself and finding significance in life. The author's narratives highlight the resilience and determination of women, particularly those of indigenous heritage, as they navigate societal expectations, face personal challenges, and address the intricacies of raising children in often challenging circumstances.

The author understood that, although it presented difficulties, accepting the role of a mother was a deeply significant journey during her earlier years.

Harjo embraced the intricacies of adult responsibilities while simultaneously charting her own path, which involved early motherhood. Raising a child on her own was made more challenging by economic hardships, the instability of her romantic relationships, and the enduring impact of her past traumas. However, motherhood also became a source of strength and inspiration, motivating her to enhance the well-being of her offspring and fueling her drive to pursue her artistic dreams.

The writer encountered difficulties in...