Discussion Topic
Character evolution in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
Summary:
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Junior evolves from a shy, isolated teenager on the Spokane Indian Reservation to a confident individual who navigates the challenges of attending an all-white high school. His growth is marked by increased self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to bridge the gap between his two worlds, ultimately finding his own identity.
How does Rowdy's character evolve in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian?
Rowdy--as his name implies--is outwardly a rough-and-tumble kid who has a rough exterior because he deals with the daily abuse of his alcoholic father. But even though Rowdy is rough on the outside, Junior knows that he has a soft inner spot which is revealed when he does the things he loves such as reading comic books. When Junior tells him that he is going to leave the school in Wellpinit to attend Reardan, Rowdy feels betrayed and tries to shut Junior out of his life. He cannot see the benefits of Junior leaving to go to another school. Junior is a stable entity in Rowdy's life, and Rowdy does not want to lose Junior. However, as the novel progresses, Rowdy starts to see past his own needs and begins to come to an understanding of why Junior has made the decision to switch schools. In the end, the two boys...
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In Sherman Alexie’s book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Rowdy is Junior's best friend on the reservation. Junior (whose full name is Arnold Spirit) is the book's protagonist. He is a teenage boy who lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Many adults on the reservation struggle with alcoholism, and there are not a lot of opportunities for young people. Junior wants more out of life, so he transfers to Reardan High, an all-white high school twenty miles outside the reservation. Junior's decision to transfer schools causes a rift between him and Rowdy.
Rowdy's anger is understandable because he has a difficult life. His father is an abusive alcoholic, so Rowdy spent a lot of his childhood at Junior's home. When Junior decides to transfer schools, Rowdy feels betrayed. He thinks that Junior is rejecting his Indigenous identity and turning his back on their friendship. In his anger and frustration, he cannot bring himself to talk to Junior for a long time.
Rowdy and Junior cross paths again at a basketball game. Junior is on the varsity team at Reardan, and Rowdy is the star basketball player at Wellpinit, the high school on the reservation. Junior's coach is impressed with Rowdy and says:
"That kid is good."
"He's my best friend," I said. "Well he used to be my best friend."
"What is he now?"
"I don't know."
Rowdy gives Junior a concussion at the game, which escalates the tension between them. Their friendship is full of confusion and pain for a long time, until they finally talk again after Junior's sister, Mary, dies.
Rowdy is angry at Junior and says that it is his fault that Mary died because she would not have left if Junior had not left. But after some time passes, he comes by Junior's house one day as if nothing has happened. The two of them shoot hoops, and Junior asks Rowdy to transfer to Reardan. Rowdy does not want to, but this conversation finally clears the air, and Rowdy says he is happy for Junior.
How does a character from The Absolutely True Diary of Part-Time Indian change throughout the novel?
Your first task for this assignment is to choose a character from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. You might select Junior or Mary or Rowdy, for instance. Then you must think about how that character changes throughout the novel.
If you choose Junior, you could focus on his decision to go to a better school, his efforts to make friends, the time he spends playing basketball, his decision never to drink, and eventually (at least to a point) his slow process of self-acceptance. Think, too, about his relationship with his parents, Rowdy, and his new friends. Too, address his changing confidence and outlook throughout the novel.
If you select Mary, you could speak of her initial hopes but failure to succeed. Follow her progress through her days in the family basement to her marriage and move to Montana (think especially about her motives here) to her death in a fire due to drunkenness. Mary is a tragic character over all. Reflect on why her story ends the way it does and try to pinpoint the moments that led her to a devastating, early death.
If you focus on Rowdy, you might trace his changes from an angry, frustrated kid who frequently bursts out in violent jealousy toward Junior to highlight their eventual reconciliation. Think of how Rowdy grows, at least a little, over the course of the novel.