CI 5441: Realistic Fiction Response #1

Before beginning Sherman Alexie’s novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I had a few preconceived notions. I had seen the film Smoke Signals and I knew that Alexie had an ability to bring contemporary issues of Native Americans to life. The placement of the Cowboy and Indian toys combined with the title’s concept of a “part-time Indian” allowed me to infer a struggle between whites and Native Americans placed in a new and modern context—something rarely done with Native American culture. I was not disappointed and I applaud the way Alexie can make a character come to life in such a resonating way.

From the first page I knew who Junior was. “The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club” chapter introduces us to Junior and we learn about his passion for drawing. Junior states, “I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because words are too limited….But when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it” (5). He goes on later to say that, “I draw because I want to talk to the world….I draw because I feel like it might be my only real chance to escape the reservation” (6). By connecting the limitless communication abilities of art we can gather that Junior feels disconnected from the world in which he lives, desires to communicate in a universal language that defies barriers, and dreams to escape the reservation that has become a prison—a metaphor continually expressed throughout the novel.

Junior’s story continues and we learn about his family and their dismal lives within the Spokane Indian Reservation. One day Junior discovers his mother’s name in his textbook and, “that old, old, old, decrepit geometry book hit my heart with the force of a nuclear bomb. My hopes and dreams floated up in a mushroom cloud” (31). Junior’s disbelief becomes an epiphany and he realizes that he must escape, things must change for him. As he so clearly states it, “What do you do when the world has declared nuclear war on you?” (31). This moment forces Junior to make a decision that will change the course of his life for the better—he must transfer to a school off the reservation in order to escape the bleak future that is trapping him.

Once Junior has made his decision new problems arise concerning identity and loyalty. He must decide who he is both on and off of the “rez.” He is no longer tolerated by the members of his Spokane community, nor is he accepted by the new members of his white, school community. These contrasts are brilliantly depicted in the heartfelt drawings incorporated into the text. As Junior claimed, the drawings are able to communicate things which words alone cannot. The illustration on page 43 represents his misgivings and the elements of both fear and unknown within Junior’s future the one on page 57 helps us to understand how Junior compares himself to his new classmates. Junior deals with his changing identity and the assumed identities that others place upon him; he is simultaneously the “white lover” (53);“Red-skin”(63), symbol of hope, nerd, bad-boy, star athlete, and liar. The combinations of Junior’s—or Arnold’s, as he is known by his Reardan classmates—are limitless. In the end Junior comes to terms with these identities and views of himself in a way that continues to challenge and provide hope. His success at Reardan illustrates his ability to conquer a new world while his reconnection with Rowdy and his family illustrate his ability to remain true to his culture. As Rowdy claims, “I was reading this book about old-time Indians, about how we used to be nomadic….You’re the nomadic one….You’re going to keep moving all over the world….That’s pretty cool” (229-230).

Alexie gives us a character that is multi-faceted and encounters so many different aspects of adolescence that is it impossible for a reader not to find some way in which they can relate to Junior. For me, I was the new student in both middle and high school. I remember not knowing anyone and struggling to find ways to fit in. I experienced my own terror and concern over leaving the familiar and facing a new challenge. I could also relate to Junior’s athletic experience; after transferring to a different—and competing—high school, many former teammates and friends labeled me as a traitor and worked hard to ensure that I was ineligible to compete my freshman year. While I never experienced anything as volatile or blatant as Junior, I know the feelings of hurt and anger that can drive a need to succeed over those who turn hatred against you. Junior faces issues ranging from popularity, identity, conformity, and friendship to more serious issues like alcoholism, poverty, death, and the idea of no future. Alexie provides a safe and humorous context for these issues allowing readers to empathize with Junior.

The contemporary and realistic setting of the book serves to further strengthen the ability of readers to connect with the character and situations. Alexie uses great detail to illustrate the pure adolescent state of Junior’s life by providing illustrations, outbursts, and thoughts that coincide with issues faced by teenagers. Junior does not refrain from bringing up topics from kissing, masturbation, boners, and pimples. He is real. Everything he encounters is real. Nothing is being withheld and Alexie presents readers with a real teenage boy who can speak to the audience about real adolescent issues. This is important in creating meaningful realistic fiction and contributes to the successful ways in which readers can make connections with Junior. Alexie creates a poignant story by providing incredible and detailed insight into the mind of a teenage boy. This inside scoop is accentuated by both the everyday and exceptional issues faced by Junior and their presentation in a diary-esque form full of clever, meaningful illustrations. The combination of these things provides teachers with a tool that will be extremely effective and beneficial in presenting their students with a tale of triumph and understanding; a tale that resonates with all.

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; illus. by Ellen Forney. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2009.