In the novels Speak by Laurie Anderson and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, freshmen Melinda and Arnold are adjusting to their new schools, but find themselves as outsiders in the sea of their fellow students. Many of these students loathe Melinda because she called the police on a party last year, even though the call was made in desperation after being a victim of rape. Arnold encounters comparable challenges. The students at his school have animosity towards him because he is the only reservation (Indian) kid at Reardan (an all white school). Even worse, Arnold is also an outsider in his own home on the reservation because his fellow Indians believe he is a traitor for going to Reardan. These two protagonists
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Desperately, they look for an outlet to make freshman year easier to handle. At his primary school on the reservation Arnold’s fellow students “stuff [his] head in the toilet” and “smack [him] upside the head” (Alexie 4). Eventually, Arnold realizes that he needs to leave this dangerous and unsafe environment if he is going to do anything substantial with his life. Although he had one faithful friend on the reservation (Rowdy), he loses this friendship when he tells Rowdy that he is going to Reardan. Now, Arnold does not have anybody his age with whom he can truly confess his feelings and inner thoughts. Not accustom to an Indian now at their school, the white students “stared at [him] like [he] was Bigfoot or a UFO” (Alexie 56). It was hard enough for Arnold to fit in at his old school with a stutter and a number of physical inconveniences (large head, etc), but now he has the added obstacle of being the only Indian kid in the entire school. Similarly, on Melinda’s first day of school, she feels completely and utterly alone. When looking around at the different cliques, Melinda confesses to herself, “I don’t have anyone to sit with” and “I am an outcast” (Anderson 4). Having lost all of her friends after she called the police during the summer party, Melinda sees that everybody still despises her. However, she befriends a new girl named Heather, hoping that she will …show more content…
In Mr.Freeman’s class, the students are educated with the premise of Picasso’s work of cubism. Melinda realizes that it’s all about “seeing beyond what is on the surface” (Anderson 119). Melinda relates to this viewpoint of life because people see her as a traitor for calling the police during the party, but no one bothered to ask why. She recognizes that if her school found out the details of what unthinkable actions occurred behind closed doors at the party, Melinda’s freshman year would be spent more comfortably. Arnold’s connection with art is similar in that he needs it to connect to the world, “I draw because words are too unpredictable,” and “everybody can understand it” (Alexie 5). Instead of connecting with other people in his life, Arnold reveals his feelings in his artwork. Drawing makes Arnold feel as though the world “pays attention to [him]” (Alexie 6). Wanting the world to pay attention further demonstrates how Arnold feels there is no one there to listen. When drawing to express their feelings, Melinda and Arnold are able to escape from the gruesome reality of their
Desperately, they look for an outlet to make freshman year easier to handle. At his primary school on the reservation Arnold’s fellow students “stuff [his] head in the toilet” and “smack [him] upside the head” (Alexie 4). Eventually, Arnold realizes that he needs to leave this dangerous and unsafe environment if he is going to do anything substantial with his life. Although he had one faithful friend on the reservation (Rowdy), he loses this friendship when he tells Rowdy that he is going to Reardan. Now, Arnold does not have anybody his age with whom he can truly confess his feelings and inner thoughts. Not accustom to an Indian now at their school, the white students “stared at [him] like [he] was Bigfoot or a UFO” (Alexie 56). It was hard enough for Arnold to fit in at his old school with a stutter and a number of physical inconveniences (large head, etc), but now he has the added obstacle of being the only Indian kid in the entire school. Similarly, on Melinda’s first day of school, she feels completely and utterly alone. When looking around at the different cliques, Melinda confesses to herself, “I don’t have anyone to sit with” and “I am an outcast” (Anderson 4). Having lost all of her friends after she called the police during the summer party, Melinda sees that everybody still despises her. However, she befriends a new girl named Heather, hoping that she will …show more content…
In Mr.Freeman’s class, the students are educated with the premise of Picasso’s work of cubism. Melinda realizes that it’s all about “seeing beyond what is on the surface” (Anderson 119). Melinda relates to this viewpoint of life because people see her as a traitor for calling the police during the party, but no one bothered to ask why. She recognizes that if her school found out the details of what unthinkable actions occurred behind closed doors at the party, Melinda’s freshman year would be spent more comfortably. Arnold’s connection with art is similar in that he needs it to connect to the world, “I draw because words are too unpredictable,” and “everybody can understand it” (Alexie 5). Instead of connecting with other people in his life, Arnold reveals his feelings in his artwork. Drawing makes Arnold feel as though the world “pays attention to [him]” (Alexie 6). Wanting the world to pay attention further demonstrates how Arnold feels there is no one there to listen. When drawing to express their feelings, Melinda and Arnold are able to escape from the gruesome reality of their