Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is filled with poetic quotes that symbolize themes of life. Each quote, though, can be interpreted in different ways. For example, on page 132, Arnold and Gordy are talking, and Gordy states something contextually subtle but very thorough. "Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being part of a community." This quote speaks in many different ways.
This quote speaks for the entire plot of the story. This quote speaks for identity. It speaks for sociality. Since the beginning, Arnold has struggled with his identity. He saw himself as just another hopeless reservation Indian living in poverty surrounded by alcoholism, frustrated by his reality. You can sense the anger with his uncontrollable …show more content…
Since he transferred to the least expected environment for his demographic, the struggle between community and individualism magnified. His life then dabbles the adaptation to this new school and the overwhelming social aspects, while he's labelled an outsider by his native tribe back "home." From being ridiculed about his two different names on page 60, to punching the most intimidating guy at the school after being harassed with racist jokes on page 65, things don't look good at first. He gets caught up in where he stands with people, and where he stands with himself. As he shapes to his new social life, the tendencies of his home life continue to press on his mind. His old best friend superficially disowns him. Everyone he knows is a drunk and his grandmother, his sister, and a family friend all die in unfortunate ways. "So many ghosts." He's ashamed about being poor, and only seems to be getting poorer, both literally and figuratively. All these things his reality consists of, influence who he is in Reardan. Community and individualism go hand in hand, and he is torn between two communities, his mind stuck in the middle, like two machines trying to make one product. This defines his actions, like on page 125 when he finds himself in quick sand trying to pay for dinner and not look poor. He is in a constant struggle between community and being an
This quote speaks for the entire plot of the story. This quote speaks for identity. It speaks for sociality. Since the beginning, Arnold has struggled with his identity. He saw himself as just another hopeless reservation Indian living in poverty surrounded by alcoholism, frustrated by his reality. You can sense the anger with his uncontrollable …show more content…
Since he transferred to the least expected environment for his demographic, the struggle between community and individualism magnified. His life then dabbles the adaptation to this new school and the overwhelming social aspects, while he's labelled an outsider by his native tribe back "home." From being ridiculed about his two different names on page 60, to punching the most intimidating guy at the school after being harassed with racist jokes on page 65, things don't look good at first. He gets caught up in where he stands with people, and where he stands with himself. As he shapes to his new social life, the tendencies of his home life continue to press on his mind. His old best friend superficially disowns him. Everyone he knows is a drunk and his grandmother, his sister, and a family friend all die in unfortunate ways. "So many ghosts." He's ashamed about being poor, and only seems to be getting poorer, both literally and figuratively. All these things his reality consists of, influence who he is in Reardan. Community and individualism go hand in hand, and he is torn between two communities, his mind stuck in the middle, like two machines trying to make one product. This defines his actions, like on page 125 when he finds himself in quick sand trying to pay for dinner and not look poor. He is in a constant struggle between community and being an