The quote above helps capture one of the key messages within, Sherman Alexie’s, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; Forbes tells how acknowledging stereotypes as truth distorts our image of races, as opposed to intimately getting to know someone. In the story, main character Arnold Spirit Junior discerns individuals he meets through stereotypes, and until he becomes more comfortable with them. This theme of racist and classist stereotypes overshadow the complexity of one’s character frequently occurs in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Alexie shows how the use of stereotypes cover the personality of characters by making them seem one-dimensional. Sherman Alexie incorporates this theme into many of the characters within, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, among them, Junior’s father. Junior’s father is displayed as the stereotypical Native American. He is frequently intoxicated and disappears for random periods of time, sometimes weeks, on what could be described as, “legendary drinking binges.” However, beneath the shadow of alcoholism,
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He harbors his own set of problems. Like most Native Americans today, Eugene is an alcoholic, and is unemployed. In addition, Eugene is uneducated and unable to read. Although Eugene holds these stereotypes, he has his own complexity. It is known commonly by his tribe that Eugene exhibits great talent in basketball, “"It's too bad you didn't get to play," Eugene said. "Your dad says you're getting pretty good." "Not as good as you," I said. Eugene was a legend. People say he could have played in college(Alexie, Pg 121).” In addition, it is known that despite his alcoholism, Eugene is an EMT for the tribe. Using his skills he is able to stitch Junior’s forehead without fail. Once again, it is shown by Alexie that stereotypes overshadow the true nature of an
He harbors his own set of problems. Like most Native Americans today, Eugene is an alcoholic, and is unemployed. In addition, Eugene is uneducated and unable to read. Although Eugene holds these stereotypes, he has his own complexity. It is known commonly by his tribe that Eugene exhibits great talent in basketball, “"It's too bad you didn't get to play," Eugene said. "Your dad says you're getting pretty good." "Not as good as you," I said. Eugene was a legend. People say he could have played in college(Alexie, Pg 121).” In addition, it is known that despite his alcoholism, Eugene is an EMT for the tribe. Using his skills he is able to stitch Junior’s forehead without fail. Once again, it is shown by Alexie that stereotypes overshadow the true nature of an