Sherman Alexie’s novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, does an exceptional job covering the themes of poverty, race discrimination, cultural bias, xenophobia and cross-cultural relations.
The novel held my interest and heightened my anticipation throughout the book. The main character, Arnold (a.k.a. Junior), was my favorite character because I could empathize with his emotional lows and highs. I felt a personal connection to the character as he navigated his way through each emotional challenge.
I learned from the main character that individualism, within a collective society, is difficult and full of personal hardships. However, if one is willing to “step out” than a wide range of new opportunities, challenges, and experiences are presented. The decision one makes in handling each experience greatly influences the possibilities that can potentially lead to personal growth, change worldviews and perhaps break the cycle of poverty.
The multicultural issues introduced in this novel can best be described as universal. Poverty, race discrimination, cultural bias, xenophobia and strained cross-cultural relations have existed throughout human history. The themes have been sources for socio-economic suppression, genocide and war. However, developing cultural understanding can bridge the divide between gender, class and race.
The novel does make the reader appreciate the cultural similarities and differences between Native Americans living on a U.S. reservation and Anglo-America. The story helps young adults become aware of the fact that different cultures experience life, death, pain and suffering; as well as, love, joy, acceptance and ambition too. The author helps the reader connect with each of these emotions as the main character endures the trials and tribulations of daily life, the coming of age, family connections and cross-cultural interaction.
Young adults can benefit from reading this novel because of the way it was written. The author was successful in brining forth culturally sensitive issues and personal experiences, while managing to maintain there seriousness of the matters under the guise of humor.
Upon completion of the novel I have been more sensitive to the issue of poverty within the United States and how cultural superiority has contributed to the socio-cultural divide between mainstream society and Native American heritage and culture.
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I like your comment about "stepping outside" your cultural environment in order to grow and possibly stop the cycle of poverty. Junior was not willing to do the ordinary. However, his parents in no way stood in the way of his "moving out." They were surely a help for him. We, as teachers, need to assume that role. Telling others that "you can be all that you want to be" is easy. Saying such a thing is easy and, in some ways, trite. We, as teachers, need to help minority students walk down that very difficult and often scary path of "moving out of what they see all the time." I am happy to see the self-reflection that has occurred as a result of reading this novel and as a result of class discussion. Yes, the idea of cultural superiority - which had its hay-day in the 1800s and early 1900s-has contributed to much of the prejudice and racial bias that has existed in this country. You have "hit the nail on the head" in that respect. How, now, do we bring the Native Americans back into the mainstream of American culture? How do we respect their culture and encourage them to "move out" of an oppressive existence at the same time? Dr. Ries
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