Alyssa Hansraj Mr. Rodriguez Academic Literature 21 April 2023 Individual vs. Community in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. In the young adult fiction novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie brings a new perspective to this saying by following the story of 14-year-old Junior who had lived on the Spokane Indian Reservation. However he had left for new opportunities at Rearden; the so-called privileged school where the white kids had gone, causing him to leave his village and grow on his own at a young and impressionable age. Given Junior’s physical traits and where he came from, he faces difficulties at Spokane high school and Rearden. This influenced …show more content…
Sherman Alexie expresses the theme of individual vs. community in his book by illustrating multiple situations where Junior makes changes to himself depending on where he will go in life with regard to himself, his family, and his friends. At the beginning of the book Junior realizes that he has to make a life-changing decision after a profound conversation with his teacher Mr. P. In the book, it says, “You'll be the first one to ever leave the rez this way," Mom said. "The Indians around here are going to be angry with you." Shoot, I figure that my fellow tribal members are going to torture me” (Alexie 47). This quote shows Junior's first big decision where he begins to change his life and lead his own path by choosing to go to Reardan, he knows the consequences of the accusation of betraying the rez, however, he still chooses to go forward for himself even if it came with hardships. Alexie Hansraj 2 captured the theme here by presenting how Rez is hindering Junior, making him feel like he can't leave and search for his hope. Another way the Rez can be seen as hindering Junior is at the basketball game, in the quote “And as I ran onto the court, somebody in the crowd threw …show more content…
Alexie is also showing how now there has been a twist and Rearden is seen as more of a community than the Rez, because of basketball Junior is more accepted and praised at Rearden but at the Rez, it is always seen as Junior betraying them, and left them in the dirt even though when Junior was at the Rez and at Wellpoint, they had bullied him and act like he wasn't needed. One of the most predominant examples of how Junior’s home life influenced him was the way he treated others and how they treated him. In the beginning, when Junior was at Spokane he had Rowdy; his best friend, who would fight his battles leading Junior not to become his best self because he was protected. Now that Junior had started his new life at his new school he was scared and frankly just unprepared for what he was about to endure because he really hadn't known what to expect. Everything changes in the quote, “I felt brave all of a sudden. Yeah, maybe it was just a stupid and immature school yard fight. Or maybe it was the most important moment of my life. Maybe I was telling the world that I was no longer a human target.”(Alexie pg 65) After punching Roger Junior is declaring his new self in regards to not needing
In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie the main character Junior faces many harsh challenges before he chooses to leave the rez. Some of the challenges he faces are poverty, having a disability, and bullying. He must face all of these challenges in order to be the person he is today. In the beginning of the story after we find out that Junior had hydrocephalus we also learn that he and his family are very poor.
Kaya Murray Mr. Rodriguez Academic Literacy April 21 2023 The Impact of Poverty Poverty is cultivated into the next generations, which can cause many to be negatively impacted. This is seen in the young adult contemporary novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie. This story is based in Washington in both a Spokane reservation and the Reardan school from the point of view of 14 year old Arnold Spirit Junior. The narrator Junior offers many examples of how he and other Spokane tribe members are at a disadvantage compared to their white peers.
Antonio Huie-Pasigan Mr. Rodriguez Academic Literature 21, April 2023 The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Essay Imagine being poor with barely enough money for basic necessities like food, gas, and clothing. This is the daily life of Arnold “Junior” Spirit, a native american who goes to a white school, and is the protagonist of The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Coming from a Native American reservation in Spokane Washington, his social status conflicts with his school, but that doesn’t stop him.
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the author discusses the theme
Sherman Alexi points out the fact that growing up in poverty can affect morale,resources,and relationships. And all of these issues can lead to low self esteem and mental health issues which Junior will try to balance constantly. Junior struggles with morale because of the poverty he grew up in. Junior is a teen who grew up on the rez in a poor household, this caused Junior to feel hopeless as he believed that poverty was a cycle and that he couldn't get out of. “Poverty doesn't give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance.
Austin Jehle Ms. Mulvaney ELA 4 10 January 2023 Analysis Essay Depending on how an author goes about writing a story it can develop their themes in different ways based on the interactions of their characters and the conflicts that they have along the way. In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie one of the many themes that are developed in the story is Hope. The theme of hope plays a big part in the story since Junior, who is the main character, is constantly moving forward in order to find hope in spite of his bleak circumstances. Throughout the novel the themes Hope and dreams are developed by the multiple conflicts that Junior is faced with on the reservation and at Reardan.
Ava Sassin Mr. Rodriguez Academic Literacy 21 April 2023 ATD Analysis Essay Hitting until blood is drawn is what seems to be the foundation of protecting yourself and inflicting pain on those who have threatened you. This is a way a lot of Spokane Indians deal with conflict, including Junior. The novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie is a realistic fiction novel that takes place on a poor and hopeless reservation. Arnold Junior is the protagonist in the story who struggles to accept the truth that lies beneath his reservation.
And their grandparents gave up and their grandparents before them. And me and every other teacher here. We're all defeated,’”(Alexie 42). At that moment, Junior realized that the “unavoidable” chain of failure in his reservation needed to be broken for the first time in all generations for him to achieve success in his life. Leaving his reservation and moving to Reardan where he’ll have the opportunity to strive for success was the first step in achieving the milestone of success he desperately wants to obtain.
Emily Mejia Mr. Rodriguez Academic Literacy 21 April 2023 Individual vs. Community Something that a lot of people don’t realize is that their communities have a big impact on the decisions they make, especially when it comes to their future. When making important life decisions, the question of how their community would react always comes to mind. The fictional novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a perfect example of an individual having to choose between their own success or their community. This novel takes place on a Native American reservation, and in this novel we see the protagonist, Junior, face the problem of having to choose between his individuality and his community.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was named one of the top ten most challenged books 8 out of the 10 years from 2010 to 2020. The novel was written by Sherman Alexie, a controversial Native American Author. The novel tells the story of Junior, a teenager growing up on a reservation and going to a rich white school. The story shows Juniors personal thoughts and journey as he struggles to find his place in society. Many sensitive topics are discussed throughout the book.
Poverty is a widespread issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide, causing a range of social, economic, and health-related challenges. Junior is the protagonist and narrator of Sherman Alexie’s novel, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” who lives on a Spokane Indian Reservation. Many of the people living on the reservation make minimum wage or are unemployed as there is a lack of jobs on the reservation. Junior’s family lives in poverty, with both parents working low-wage jobs. Poverty, gambling, alcoholism and physical abuse are constantly seen on the reservation and have an impact on Junior’s perspective of his identity as a low-income Native American.
Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" presents a novel centered around Arnold Spirit Jr., a young Native American boy who must grapple with his dual identities as a member of the Spokane Indian Reservation and as a student at a predominantly white high school. Arnold refers to himself as a "part-time Indian," which serves as a critical commentary on the current condition of Indigenous peoples of the US, particularly those living on a reservation. This term emphasizes the way in which Indigenous peoples are often forced to straddle two worlds, leading to a sense of displacement and alienation. As I continue my essay, I will explore the idea of why Alexie believes he is a part-time Indian, and what this shows about
After all, I was a reservation Indian, and no matter how geeky and weak I appeared to be, I was still a potential killer.” -Junior p.63 Early inhabitants believed that they were barbaric and primitive, knowing this Junior believes that his caucasian classmates at Rearden view him the same way as their racist ancestors. That is not to say he is not bullied at home because they are all the same race. On his reservation Wellpinit, Junior is a target due to his physical disabilities(a stutter, and epilepsy) but at his school, he is the direct result of years of stereotypes.
Nancy Yunganaula Mr.Rodriguez Academic Literacy 21 April 2023 Opportunities and Success Do opportunities come to you or do you have to search for them in order to be successful? The novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, takes place in the Spokane Indian reservation near Wellpinit, Washington, and the genre is young adult fiction. During the novel, we perceive how there are opportunities that can affect how successful someone is. More specifically, we see how a few characters take the risk to leave their reservation and find a better life for themselves.
Sherman Alexie's Bildungsroman, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," delves into the sharp disparities between life on the Spokane reservation and life in Reardan. Alexie highlights the striking contrast between the two communities of the Spokane Reservation and Rearden, especially highlighting the prevalence of death on the Reservation. The high death rate on the reservation, stemming from poverty, alcoholism, and limited access to healthcare, exposes Arnold, the protagonist, to mortality at such a young age, forcing him to grapple with complex emotions and mature far too quickly. Through Arnold's journey, the novel explores themes of loss, identity, and resilience in the face of adversity, reflecting on the challenges of growing