The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part Time Indian Character Analysis

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In the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the protagonist, Arnold Spirit, Junior is a fourteen years old guy who had to leave behind his Indian Reservation to a different atmosphere; where he thinks there are “more chances” of hope than his Indian life. The protagonist faces many obstacles in his life such as: poverty, racism, the alcoholism of his father, insecurity, doubts, bullying, among others. During the novel, Arnold shows through his moves and words, how poor people like him can find hope and being someone. Either by accidents or certain circumstances, he also demonstrates how to win respect of others, which is part of being successful in life. The meaning of part-time Indian sounds as a short term goal in …show more content…
P, they are key characters that support Junior’s decisions. Even though, Arnold and his sister Mary are completely the opposite in terms of personalities and courage; they got one thing common, both left his family behind looking for their own lives and hope. The Spirit siblings are two good examples of this seeking of hope that the novel hides through its message. Besides, his new friends at Reardan High School like Gordy, Roger and Penelope; all of these are also round characters in which their actions influences in Arnold’s decisions about not give up. Most of serious dialogues that Junior has with some characters as his grandmother, his basketball coach at Reardan High School are conversations from the heart that are good advices not only to him but to all youth people who are looking for hope, but also help Junior to comfort him, and build …show more content…
These main social issues are poverty, racism and his drunker father. The protagonist considered these causes, the principal obstacles for him to move on. It is not easy for an Indian to have hope, but Junior is a great example of brave and perseveration. Yet, it is always hard to leave the family and roots behind; because culturally Indians’ families are really close, does not matter the life circumstances. Moreover, there is one issue that really worries most to the protagonist; that is seeing his father drinking all the time, and spending the money in bars. When his father drove him to the new school; Junior’s thoughts go along with his father: “I hope he’d drive right home and not stop in a bar and spend whatever money he had left.” (Sherman, page 55) This quote shows a great universal quality of Junior as person and son; he does care. This is one of the toughest conflicts for Junior, the fact about leaving his family, even though he wishes

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