In Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part–Time Indian” we look into a young boy’s mind and are able to catch a glimpse of what it is like to break the boundaries of one’s culture, and the repercussions of such an act. Very early in the text Junior tells his parents he wants to go to Reardon, a school off the reservation, because he wanted more than the reservation high school could offer him. After being asked by his parents if he was sure he wanted to immediately switch schools or if he wanted to wait until the next semester, he responded, “No, if I don’t go now, I never will. I have to do it now.” Junior’s previous teacher, Mr. P. told him to leave the reservation because he believed that he could make it, hence his violent
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Junior feels that even though the two of them seem very different they had quite a lot in common, in fact Junior goes so far as to say “I was an Indian kid from the reservation. I was lonely and sad and isolated and terrified. Just like Gordy.” The two boys never grew as close as Rowdy and Junior, but they were what the other needed at that moment in time. Junior’s magnanimous decision effected many others as well, his sister Mary being a good example. The book starts off speaking very little of Mary but that she had seemingly lost hope and gave up on her dreams. Soon after Junior decides to go to Reardon his sister Mary runs away and marries an Indian from a reservation in Montana. It seems that Junior’s decision to change his path in life stuck with Mary and gave her the opportunity to make a change for herself as …show more content…
Junior, while still not the most popular Indian on the reservation, is no longer seen as a traitor to his tribe. Junior changed the perspective of not only his tribe, but also the people he encountered at Reardon. The amount of courage he showed to others by making such a decision pushed many others to make a difference in their own lives. Junior’s willingness to help those around him who scarcely knew he existed and the bravery he showed in challenging the people he had known for his entire life with people who he really didn’t no all that well inspired Rowdy. The end of the book resolves the issues between Rowdy and Junior. While Rowdy was quite unhappy with what Junior did the most inspired seemed to be Rowdy at the end of the book when he told Junior, “You’re an old-time nomad.” Rowdy explained that he had come to terms with Junior decision and in his mind Junior was following the path of the Indians of old and he accepted that. The book ends with the boys playing basketball, the conflict between them forgotten and their friendship repaired. Junior’s one decision to make a change for himself pushed others to step out of their comfort zones and really look at the world around them. He changed the mindset of many and opened the door for the people who would follow in his
Junior feels that even though the two of them seem very different they had quite a lot in common, in fact Junior goes so far as to say “I was an Indian kid from the reservation. I was lonely and sad and isolated and terrified. Just like Gordy.” The two boys never grew as close as Rowdy and Junior, but they were what the other needed at that moment in time. Junior’s magnanimous decision effected many others as well, his sister Mary being a good example. The book starts off speaking very little of Mary but that she had seemingly lost hope and gave up on her dreams. Soon after Junior decides to go to Reardon his sister Mary runs away and marries an Indian from a reservation in Montana. It seems that Junior’s decision to change his path in life stuck with Mary and gave her the opportunity to make a change for herself as …show more content…
Junior, while still not the most popular Indian on the reservation, is no longer seen as a traitor to his tribe. Junior changed the perspective of not only his tribe, but also the people he encountered at Reardon. The amount of courage he showed to others by making such a decision pushed many others to make a difference in their own lives. Junior’s willingness to help those around him who scarcely knew he existed and the bravery he showed in challenging the people he had known for his entire life with people who he really didn’t no all that well inspired Rowdy. The end of the book resolves the issues between Rowdy and Junior. While Rowdy was quite unhappy with what Junior did the most inspired seemed to be Rowdy at the end of the book when he told Junior, “You’re an old-time nomad.” Rowdy explained that he had come to terms with Junior decision and in his mind Junior was following the path of the Indians of old and he accepted that. The book ends with the boys playing basketball, the conflict between them forgotten and their friendship repaired. Junior’s one decision to make a change for himself pushed others to step out of their comfort zones and really look at the world around them. He changed the mindset of many and opened the door for the people who would follow in his