37 pages • 1 hour read
Lori Arviso Alvord, Elizabeth Cohen Van PeltThe Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Throughout the book, Lori emphasizes that modern medicine is in a crisis. What evidence does Lori present for this position? Do you find her argument convincing? Why or why not?
Lori grew up in a bi-cultural home. How did this experience shape her worldview, particularly as it relates to medicine?
Why is the title of the text The Scalpel and the Silver Bear? Provide evidence from the text to support your argument.
What is Lori referring to when she discusses the Navajo people’s “historical grief?” How has this historical grief continued to impact her people?
What does the Navajo concept called “Walking in Beauty” mean?
Often, Lori refers to the Navajo belief that all relationships need to be in harmony to be healthy. How does this traditional belief shape both the way Lori views medicine as well as her relationships with her patients and family?
It is Lori’s belief that songs have the power to heal. What are specific examples that Lori uses to support this argument? Do you find this argument convincing? Why or why not?
How does the Navajo story told to children about Hosteen Owl and Hosteen Bat bringing medicine to the Fire people relate to Lori’s own story?
Why does Lori believe that Western medicine should incorporate some Navajo practices and beliefs? What are specific examples presented by the author for this position? Do you think this is a persuasive argument for the broader public?
In the final chapter, Lori recounts one of her students at Dartmouth asking her, “‘Dr. Alvord, I liked so much what you said about Navajo beliefs, but I am wondering—do these concepts have relevance for other cultures, for non-Indian peoples” (195)? How would Lori answer this question? Do you agree with her position? Why or why not?
