The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian Theme Analysis

Overcoming a challenge, not giving up, and not being afraid of change are a few themes demonstrated in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Perhaps the most prominent theme derived from the novel is defying the odds, or in other words rising above the expectations of others. Junior Spirit exemplifies this theme throughout the entirety of the book. As Junior is an Indian, he almost expects that he will never leave the reservation, become an alcoholic, and live in poverty like the other Indians on the reservation—only if he sits around and does not endeavor to change his fate. When Junior shares the backstory of his parents, he says that his mother and father came from “poor people who came from poor people who came from poor people, all the way …show more content…
By making this decision, Junior begins an unanticipated life, unexpected for reservation Indians. Furthermore, after Junior tries out for the basketball team and makes varsity, he understands that the team and his coach expect him to perform at his best; Junior wants to live up to their expectations, and so he “became good.” He follows this by saying, “I guess that’s what it comes down to. The power of expectations. And as they expected more of me, I expected more of myself, and it just grew and grew…” (180). Junior repeatedly proves throughout the novel that what those expect is not what sets the limits to one’s abilities; limits are set by oneself by believing others’ narrow-minded expectations. Nevertheless, if others, or even just one more person, show their support for something you think you are unable to do, it makes you believe, even if just a little bit more, that you can do it. Junior’s basketball coach exemplifies this in the locker room before one of Reardan’s games by saying “You can do it” (188). Those four words, deceivingly simple to many, mean the world to Junior. He