In the essay, "Superman and Me" Alexie talks about reading a comic book before he even knew how to actually read. The comic was about Superman, he doesn't remember the plot nor the villain that was being fought. In one of the comic book panels Superman breaks through a door, that shatters into pieces. Being unable to read words, Alexie assumed from the photos below that it said "Superman is breaking down a door." Imagining the words through the pictures, is how Alexie learned how to read at very young age. From that moment on Alexie was already more advanced then most kids his age, especially India kids.
It is important to remember the detail of Superman towards the end of the essay because in a way Alexie can relate to Superman. Superman breaking down the brown door is symbolic for Alexie because it is like Superman broke down the "wall" for him. Alexie explains that his love for books was something he developed from his father, but also part of the purpose to save his life. Not save in the sense that he was dying but in the sense that he was being inclosed into a Indian boy stereotype. In his culture, Indian boys are suspected to not know anything compared to a non-indian. So rather then being quiet in class, Alexie interacted and read many books. Later in life he became a writer, not common for Indians in his time and put in effort to visit schools and talk about writing and encouraging students to do the same. Alexie wants to be what Superman was to him for other young kids, who are like him. He wants to save lives, like the Superman comic book saved his.
