Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian Essay
In Sherman Alexie’s novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, is a tale of a young Native American boy who has a struggle with poverty, a need for support in his decision making, and a show of courage when times seem hopeless. Junior is not a typical Native American boy. He wants to succeed in life and the only way to do that is leave the reservation for better schooling. The story takes place in times of great despair as well as happiness. On every reservation there is poverty. On every reservation there is alcohol abuse. On every reservation there is domestic abuse resulting from alcohol abuse. Every day there are victims on the reservations around the world, and this story is a sneak peek into one young boy’s life.
Poverty is very common among Native American’s living on reservations. Income is small if any, and is spent on alcohol or drugs. Junior’s parents drink, his mother not so much, but his father does quite frequently. At one point Junior claims on Christmas his father goes on a drinking binge until January 2, and when he arrives home he pulls a crumpled five dollar bill out of his boot. Junior is touched by this action, knowing his father is an alcoholic and was able to save five dollars was touching. Juniors ex-best friend is a victim of domestic violence due to his father drinking alcohol.
When it comes to making choices, Junior seems to look for help. Since Junior’s grandmother was hit by a drunken native and killed, he lost on person he could talk with. Junior loses people he cares about, whether it is from death or from him leaving the reservation. Mary, Junior’s only sister moved out and got a life of her own, only for it to end in a house fire and leading to her death. Junior has lost another close person, and his ex best friend blamed him for her death. As a result Junior would need confidence in himself to keep him going, and not want to give up on his schooling, and family.
In Sherman Alexie’s novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, is a tale of a young Native American boy who has a struggle with poverty, a need for support in his decision making, and a show of courage when times seem hopeless. Junior is not a typical Native American boy. He wants to succeed in life and the only way to do that is leave the reservation for better schooling. The story takes place in times of great despair as well as happiness. On every reservation there is poverty. On every reservation there is alcohol abuse. On every reservation there is domestic abuse resulting from alcohol abuse. Every day there are victims on the reservations around the world, and this story is a sneak peek into one young boy’s life.
Poverty is very common among Native American’s living on reservations. Income is small if any, and is spent on alcohol or drugs. Junior’s parents drink, his mother not so much, but his father does quite frequently. At one point Junior claims on Christmas his father goes on a drinking binge until January 2, and when he arrives home he pulls a crumpled five dollar bill out of his boot. Junior is touched by this action, knowing his father is an alcoholic and was able to save five dollars was touching. Juniors ex-best friend is a victim of domestic violence due to his father drinking alcohol.
When it comes to making choices, Junior seems to look for help. Since Junior’s grandmother was hit by a drunken native and killed, he lost on person he could talk with. Junior loses people he cares about, whether it is from death or from him leaving the reservation. Mary, Junior’s only sister moved out and got a life of her own, only for it to end in a house fire and leading to her death. Junior has lost another close person, and his ex best friend blamed him for her death. As a result Junior would need confidence in himself to keep him going, and not want to give up on his schooling, and family.