Diary Response ( Cameron)

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     The Absolutely True Diary of A Part Time Indian, Is a really cool book that focuses on a lot of different issues within Native American/Indian communities in modern America. I find that the book does a really good job of being relatable even if you aren't Indian as one of the major issues that Arnold/Junior faces is his Identity, and not just his race but his Identity as a person. 

    From the beginning Arnold explains that because of his medical issues he belongs to the " Black Eye of the Month Club" ( Alexie 4). So he may "fit in" as an Indian but he still gets outed for differences he can't control.  However things don't get much better when he first transfers to Rearden, in fact on page 61 Arnold says " I felt like two different people inside of one body" after explaining his two names. 

However, there are more specific quotes that give insight into how Arnold sees himself and how he handles going to Rearden. " And then you start to believe you're stupid and ugly because you're Indian and because you're Indian you start believing you're destined to be poor" ( Alexie 13). This line tells us how Arnold feels, he has problems because he's Indian.  And on page 81 Arnold imagines what Rowdy would say if he asked him for help with Penelope. " The first thing you have to do is change the way you look, the way you talk, and the way you walk, and then she'll think you're her fricking Prince Charming." Clearly Arnold doesn't really think that highly of himself or at least that he's not good enough to be with Penelope. 

However, if we fast forward closer to the end of the book, we can see that Arnold has changed his way of thinking somewhat. After making friends, seeing the issues some kids have at Rearden, and experiencing loss. Arnold says this " I realized that I might be a lonely Indian boy, but I was not alone in my loneliness, There were millions of other Americans who had left their birthplaces in search of a dream" ( Alexie 217). Arnold then lists off all the tribes he belongs to. 

This book is relatable to everyone, because we all have issues finding our selves, we all have issues with things we can't control, we have issues with fitting in, be it because of race, economics, personality, or hobbies. However I believe that part of the purpose of this book was to show that despite these issues, everyone, every Arnold out there can find a place to belong and to find themselves for the better. 



Comments

  1. HelenSeptember 9, 2022 at 3:31 PM

    I think it's important, the bit where Arnold/Junior imagines what Rowdy would say if he asked him about Penelope; sure, he knows his best friend, but it is also a second-hand view of what Junior really thinks of himself. This is confirmed when he actually asks Rowdy/tells him about her later on, and his answer is much more blunt and abrupt. I also liked the bit when Junior was listing the tribes he was in, having that realization; it made me cry a little. It really showed his growth in character through; rising above the tragedies.

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  2. HelenSeptember 9, 2022 at 3:33 PM

    I totally agree! And I love the last two sentences of your comment!

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