The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part Time Indian Analysis

Have you ever thought life was so pointless that you just wanted to give up? In the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Junior felt exactly that way. Junior is an outcast boy who has suffered from a brain injury when he was a small boy. He feared his future because he thought he would be on the reservation forever, just like his parents. Junior lets his fear get in the way of the goals he wants to accomplish. But he does overcome those fears in the novel.
After Junior throws the book at Mr. P’s face, he visits Junior at his house. He says to Junior, “You need to leave this reservation. . . the only thing you kids are being taught is how to give up” (42). Junior feared being like every other Indian by giving up. So he made the bravest decision of his life. He decided to switch to the all-white high school, Reardan. Many people tried to convince him to say and got mad at him for leaving. Rowdy, Junior’s best friend, is a great example. As soon as Junior told him he was switching, Rowdy punched him right in the face. Rowdy is known for being the strong, scary, aggressive boy, who you wouldn’t want to mess with. Another example is Junior’s parents. They asked him many, many times if
he really wanted to do it. They didn’t think it was the right decision. By switching schools, Junior conquered the fear of being like everyone else on the reservation.
When Junior gets to Reardan, he has a really hard time fitting in and finding trustworthy friends.
At first, everyone would make fun of his appearance and name. When Penelope found out he was from the reservation, she said, “Oh. . .that’s why you talk so funny” (61). Junior was sick of having everyone pick on him. So he finally went up to a boy named Gordy and straight-up said to him, “I want to be your friend” (94). At first, Gordy was surprised and didn’t know what to say. But soon after, Gordy and Junior became friends. Gordy taught him that learning is an amazing thing. Gathering the courage to ask Gordy if he wanted to be friends overcame Juniors fear of being alone, friendless, and not having anyone there for him through the difficult
transition.
Throughout Junior’s years at Wellpinit, he was always felt like the underdog, the weak, scrawny, athletic kid especially in basketball. Junior’s best friend Rowdy was the top scoring player. Junior had never even thought about competing with him. He remained unsuccessful, until he got to Reardan. Initially, he didn't want to try out. He was nervous and didn't want to try out because he was scared of being the worst. He decided to try out because his dad told him to go for it. He almost let fear get in the way. Junior felt like people were supportive and believed in him at Reardan so it made him want to be better. Where at Wellpinit, people knew he wasn’t good so they didn’t help him get better. They gave up on him. Junior faced his fear of letting people down and failing.
Junior went a very long way because he not only faced his fears, but he believed in himself. He conquered the things that he was afraid of doing. He made the varsity basketball team, made trustworthy friends, and was brave enough to switch to Reardan High School, an all white school. Junior said, “God has a way of making things even out” (196). At the end of the story, I think everything evens out because he learned from his mistakes and didn't give up.