Joseph Bruchac's Code Talker presents the compelling story of Ned Begay, a Navajo Marine who served as a code talker during World War II. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, sacrifice, and resilience as Navajo soldiers use their native language to create an unbreakable military code. Through Ned's journey from boarding school alienation to wartime heroism, Bruchac illuminates both the crucial contributions of Native American code talkers and the ongoing struggles with discrimination they faced.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it was time for the United States to join the world war and declare war on Japan. The Japanese deciphered every code written by the Americans; hence the army had to use the Navajo code, one of the most complicated languages to decipher. Such is a story about Ned Begay and other Navajo tribespeople who risked their lives to code talk for the American forces.
The tale is narrated by Ned Begay, recounting his life from when he was just six years old. Ned Begay is sent to the white man’s school, further alienated and barred from speaking his native language. The Navajo “It was no good to speak Navajo or be Navajo. Everything about us that was Indian had to be forgotten.” (Bruchac, p.18). Ned Begay’s resilience; despite the rough treatment and racism in school, he finds time to study his culture.
After the declaration of war against Japan, recruitments exercises take place at the Navajo reservations. Ned Begay derives interest and wishes to join the army, an actual act of selflessness and bravery. He risks it all to pay the ultimate price for his nation. The debate on whether the risk was worth it then it is. Ned Begay takes a risk by undergoing his first mission in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, where he encounters the battle first hand.
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