Part Time Indian Challenges

Words: 1352
Pages: 6
Open Document
A vital part of life that everyone has to deal with is challenges. It is everyday dilemmas that help people mature and learn. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a diary about some of the predicaments the author faces in life. His diary opens displaying all the issues Junior was born with, and a main challenge he faced was destitution. Poverty is Junior’s greatest challenge due to the fact that it makes survival hard, takes away his self confidence, and makes him feel like a social outcast.
Being poor makes it hard for Arnold to survive. When he finally goes to Rearden to get an education, he encounters a serious struggle, transportation. His parents sometimes have no gas money so he has to find another way …show more content…
In a cartoon(page 57), he draws the differences between him and a kid at Rearden. Arnold does not only touch on the physical differences such as, clothing, shoes, and accessories but also their futures, family history and outlook on life. The cartoon highlights the differences between Arnold and a white Rearden student. It’s clear by the nature of the cartoon, he feels as if he does not fit in there and as if he is less than them. To fit in he tries to pass as Middle class. Arnold did nothing to challenge the assumption that he was well off, “And since the kids and parents at Reardan thought I had a lot of money, I did nothing to change their minds. I figured it wouldn't do me any good if they knew I was dirt poor. What would they think of me if they knew I sometimes had to hitchhike to school? Yeah, so I pretended to be middle class. I pretended I belonged.”(page 119) Junior feels scared that he will lose his newfound respect if other students know that he is poor. It makes him feel uncomfortable and out of place. Another effect of his poverty on is social life is that he can’t pay for anything at the school dance. Junior wants to be able to buy things for Penelope however he “... only had five dollars, not nearly enough to pay for anything-not for photos, not for food, not for gas, not for a hot dog and a soda pop.”(page 119) Not being able to spend money like the rest …show more content…
My problem was clearly displayed to me when I joined wrestling. I want to make something clear, wrestling will never make me feel weak; it makes me feel stronger, tougher, and more powerful than I have before. It’s the main driving force in my quest. When I wrestle I get to see a palpable vision of my progress which is important to me,(however,that’s only part of the reason that I love wrestling.) I am given the chance see my improvement, show myself that I am getting better. This is very much a physical challenge that I am working on, although, it is not one that make me insecure. Reaching my goal requires working out. Doing that gives me confidence and makes me feel good about myself. I’ve also had a lot of support from my friends, who always cheer me on and motivate me. Due to their help and my hard work not only will I see the results of effort on the mat but also in my life. It is a confidence boost that affects every part of
Show More

Related Documents: Part Time Indian Challenges

Part Time Indian Analysis

Is it possible for a person to be part time Indian? In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Arnold Spirit, the protagonist, is considered a part time Indian. He is an Indian boy who lives on a reserve and he abandons that school to go to another school that is miles away with only white kids. Throughout the novel Arnold is torn between his family, friends at his reserve, and going to an all-white school outside his home. Some particular themes that kept on…

Words 1113 - Pages 5

Sherman Alexie's War Dances

Has there been anyone in your life who wants to show the people in world that you will live through whatever comes your way no matter what it may be? Sherman Alexie did. Sherman Alexie grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. Never was Alexie's childhood easy, he also was not expected to live to a very old age. When Sherman was six months old he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and has been a struggle for him ever since. Following Sherman's diagnosis with hydrocephalus…

Words 1177 - Pages 5

The Absolutely True Diary Of Part Time Indian Essay

Life is full of ups and downs and challenges that can determine people's fates in life. Arnold Spirit, Jr. is the type of guy who endures through these ups and downs and challenges in his life. In the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Arnold learns three life lessons during his high school life. He learns most whites aren’t racist, to take risk in life, and to allow people in his life. Arnold realise that not every white person is racist. First, his basketball…

Words 545 - Pages 3

Western Civilization

through numerous developments and challenges from political, economical, and social aspects. Several factors have contributed to this. The rise of railroads, the government involvement, and the challenges faced by Native Americans are among the major developments and challenges which shaped the western civilization. The rise of the Great Plains socially affected life on the Western Civilization. The Great Plains are vast grasslands through the west central US. Various Indian cultures settled in the Great…

Words 874 - Pages 4

Cabeza De Vaca Analysis

Just imagine the challenges and hardships you would have to face had you set out of your home country with the hopes and dreams of better opportunities with your fellow men but instead land on an Island alone with no trace of your fellow men, and that too among people who are ready to enslave you for the rest of your life.Such was the life story of Cabeza De Vaca. In the spring of 1525, five Spanish ships with nearly 550 men left the port of Seville and set course with the hope of establishing new…

Words 833 - Pages 4

Andrew Jackson Essay

president could stand for their own age. President Jackson had enhanced many presidential powers through his tough personality, and how he was able to take on many challenges. He has strengthened the Democracy by vetoing countless bills, and paid the national debt. Jackson had also taken a huge role on the Indian removal act. The challenges “old hickory” faced were not easy and he was the one to be believed the strongest president. Andrew Jackson had strengthened the democracy in a few ways. One way…

Words 1039 - Pages 5

Essay on Censorship: Young-adult Fiction and Absolutley True Diary

Censorship or Foolishness? According to Didi Tang and Mary-Beth Marklein from USA Today, "The number of reposted challenges in the past thirty years has hovered between four hundred and five hundred (books) each year," says Deborah Caldwell-Stone., an attorney with the American Library Associaion." The complete definition of censorship is to examine letters, books, films, etc. and remove or ban anything regarded as harmful; but really, is censorship to us "good judgement", or over-protectiveness…

Words 889 - Pages 4

Superman And Me Analysis

Alexie speaks of the Spokane Indian Reservation he notes about the stereotypes in play. In the 1970s Indian children were expected to not show intelligence, they would even be ridiculed for it. Addressing that also gives a setting for the main idea of the story. Understanding the time difference makes it simpler to understand why he was so proud that he read at every chance he could get. It makes his sense of pride stronger because you know that he overcame a challenge to achieve being such a great…

Words 496 - Pages 2

How India mistreats Kashmir Cnn Article Essay

How India mistreats Kashmir By Kapil Komireddi, Special to CNN Editor’s note: Kapil Komireddi is an Indian journalist. He has written from South Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The views expressed are his own. Returning home from a visit to Pakistan in 2009, I was invited to have tea with one of the Indian army officials stationed on the international border. Inside his office, I was introduced to another traveler, a middle-aged Kashmiri man who was also on his way back from Pakistan…

Words 1010 - Pages 5

Untouchables Essay

that gave each varna and what they should eat, who to marry and how to manage their money. The strict caste system developed by the Aryans’ social hierarchy was made in order to give people rules and expectations to live by; it plays a purpose in Indian society today by giving each rank a certain role they must play to society. The strict caste system of India was developed in order to maintain order throughout the society. The ancient Hindu castes originated from a “primordial body” which had the…

Words 663 - Pages 3