20 pages 40 minutes read

Sherman Alexie

The Facebook Sonnet

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2011

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Symbols & Motifs

Call to Action and Group Consciousness

The word “Let’s” (Lines 4, 7, 8, 13), a contraction of “let us,” occurs four times in the poem. In the one quatrain where it does not occur (the third), the word “let” appears three times, in the sense of allowing something to happen once one has taken the initial step. Grammatically, “Let us” is a first-person plural imperative, which is often used to make suggestions that include the speaker. The use of “Let’s” shows that the speaker is appealing for group action. He himself speaks, ironically, as if he is part of that group, encouraging people to take the plunge and sign up for Facebook (or perhaps another social media site like Twitter).

The people he addresses—likely anyone of a certain age with an internet connection—must become part of the new trend, he implies. It is the time to do it; everyone is doing it. The reader can likely picture the speaker’s arm waving them forward like a general urging his men on (the irony of the speaker’s tone notwithstanding). The emphasis is on the collective. Everything depends on everyone participating. It is the group that counts, rather than individuals.

Related Titles

By Sherman Alexie

Study Guide

logo

Indian Killer

Sherman Alexie

Indian Killer

Sherman Alexie

Study Guide

logo

On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City

Sherman Alexie

On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City

Sherman Alexie

Study Guide

logo

Reservation Blues

Sherman Alexie

Reservation Blues

Sherman Alexie

Study Guide

logo

Reservation Love Song

Sherman Alexie

Reservation Love Song

Sherman Alexie

Plot Summary

logo

Ten Little Indians

Sherman Alexie

Ten Little Indians

Sherman Alexie

Teaching Guide + Study Guide

logo

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie

Teaching Guide + Study Guide

logo

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

Sherman Alexie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

Sherman Alexie

Plot Summary

logo

The Toughest Indian in the World

Sherman Alexie

The Toughest Indian in the World

Sherman Alexie

Study Guide

logo

This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona

Sherman Alexie

This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona

Sherman Alexie

Plot Summary

logo

War Dances

Sherman Alexie

War Dances

Sherman Alexie