Issues of Stereotype in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and in to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee both emphasize discrimination and stereotypes of society in different environments and cultures. For example, both texts focus on the discrimination of certain demographics within American society however center on different social groups. The Absolutely True Diary of A Part Time Indian is about the Indian culture and is set in a reservation where one had to face the stereotypes to gain opportunities, while To Kill a Mockingbird focuses on Black culture and is set in the 1930s where blacks were racially
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From a different perspective, Junior appears to accept the fact that he is stupid and ugly because he’s Indian. In the book he says, “It sucks to be poor, and it sucks to feel that you somehow deserve to be poor. You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly” (13). Because Junior admits this, it almost seems like he believes that he should be “poor” and “ugly” because of his race. Alexie’s purpose in writing this line is to show that even Junior, who has an ambition, is obstructed by his overall identity as an Indian. It also shows the extent of society's dominant ideology that impacts those who are marginalized like the Indian community. Through his experience, his childhood has also led him to this conclusion that “you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. It’s an ugly circle and there’s nothing you can do about it” (13). Essentially, Junior plays a similar role to Atticus in the novel telling his children the truth about stereotypes except that Junior had been through these problems himself. Thus, he knows a lot more about discrimination because of his first-hand experience compared to Jem and …show more content…
Dodge’s question correctly, but still failed to get credit. Mr. Dodge knew that Junior was correct, but didn’t want to admit that Indians could be correct. It is common knowledge that when one says something, they should get the credit for it. But when Mr. Dodge asked Gordy, the smartest kid in class, he agreed with Junior causing Mr. Dodge to credit Gordy instead of Junior. Alexie writes, “Okay, Arnold, if you’re so smart,” Dodge said, “then tell us how it works (84)”/ “Well, isn’t that interesting, thank you for sharing that with us, Gordy (86)”. This scene shows us how an Indian child proves himself to be smart but ironically the white teacher does not want to accept it because he has already accepted the stereotype against Junior’s race. Both scenes comment upon the theme because they both reveal the “true identity” of people behind the stereotypes that people have created. For example, blacks were considered inferior to whites both emotionally and intellectually. But as evidenced in the church scene, the black people’s true identity was shown in the form of respect, as well as being very flexible even when they had to give up. This is important because it shows that people shouldn’t assume based off stereotypes, rather look into the “authentic” identity of one behind that. This ties into the stereotypes of a white person where a white man would be considered
From a different perspective, Junior appears to accept the fact that he is stupid and ugly because he’s Indian. In the book he says, “It sucks to be poor, and it sucks to feel that you somehow deserve to be poor. You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly” (13). Because Junior admits this, it almost seems like he believes that he should be “poor” and “ugly” because of his race. Alexie’s purpose in writing this line is to show that even Junior, who has an ambition, is obstructed by his overall identity as an Indian. It also shows the extent of society's dominant ideology that impacts those who are marginalized like the Indian community. Through his experience, his childhood has also led him to this conclusion that “you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. It’s an ugly circle and there’s nothing you can do about it” (13). Essentially, Junior plays a similar role to Atticus in the novel telling his children the truth about stereotypes except that Junior had been through these problems himself. Thus, he knows a lot more about discrimination because of his first-hand experience compared to Jem and …show more content…
Dodge’s question correctly, but still failed to get credit. Mr. Dodge knew that Junior was correct, but didn’t want to admit that Indians could be correct. It is common knowledge that when one says something, they should get the credit for it. But when Mr. Dodge asked Gordy, the smartest kid in class, he agreed with Junior causing Mr. Dodge to credit Gordy instead of Junior. Alexie writes, “Okay, Arnold, if you’re so smart,” Dodge said, “then tell us how it works (84)”/ “Well, isn’t that interesting, thank you for sharing that with us, Gordy (86)”. This scene shows us how an Indian child proves himself to be smart but ironically the white teacher does not want to accept it because he has already accepted the stereotype against Junior’s race. Both scenes comment upon the theme because they both reveal the “true identity” of people behind the stereotypes that people have created. For example, blacks were considered inferior to whites both emotionally and intellectually. But as evidenced in the church scene, the black people’s true identity was shown in the form of respect, as well as being very flexible even when they had to give up. This is important because it shows that people shouldn’t assume based off stereotypes, rather look into the “authentic” identity of one behind that. This ties into the stereotypes of a white person where a white man would be considered