![]() Both of these things happen in the novel, as a family friend named Eugene is “shot and killed by one of his good friends, Bobby, who was too drunk to even remember pulling the trigger” and his sister was burned to death in her home but was so drunk she never even woke up (Alexie 169). And plenty of drunken Indians have killed other drunken Indians” (Alexie 156). After his grandmother is struck and killed by a drunk (Indian) driver, Junior notes, “Plenty of Indians have died because they were drunk. All three deaths in the novel are alcohol related. His parent’s are both alcoholics as well, his father leaving the family for days at a time - even around Christmas - in order to drink ceaselessly. Junior’s best friend Rowdy has an alcoholic father, and since he had been “drinking hard and throwing hard punches, … Rowdy and his mother are always walking around with bruised and bloody faces” (Alexie 16). This leaves readers to either think of Natives as they are portrayed in popular culture (savage warriors camping in teepees and shooting bows), or as they are in Alexie’s book: poor, drunken fighters with a penchant for gambling.Īlcoholism seems to be the root of all evil in Junior’s life, mostly because it affects almost everyone around him. Not to mention, because there aren’t many other texts written by or about Indians, there is not any other source of information on the subject. This is dangerous for the reputation of all Natives because it means taking Junior’s view of his single tribe and their issues with alcoholism, fighting, poverty, gambling, etcetera and projecting them on an entire race of people. Since the characters in the novel are so realistic, it is well known that the story is based off of Sherman Alexie’s life, and the novel puts so much emphasis on the fact that it is “Absolutely True”, I think that many people would use it to formulate their opinions on Native American and use it as a historical text. While I agree that Alexie’s work sheds a great deal of light on the reality of reservation life and difficulties, and it has clearly affected other readers, I believe that his work might foster negative stereotypes about Natives, leading the entire culture to be discriminated against based on the actions of the “realistic” characters in the novel. Another reviewer comments on the novel’s ability to raise awareness, especially after being “schooled by teachers who were for the most part trying really hard to achieve a multicultural education in Whiteland…(which often included) learning about our Native American friends” but “never and not once did (they give) the chance to really appreciate American Indians for what they were at that very moment” (Meg). This is exemplary of the power of the book to illuminate the issues on reservations – even to those who are already prejudiced toward Natives. His words and ideas and descriptions gave me an insight that I previously lacked” (TK421). For instance, one reviewer says, “ Being a South Dakotan, I understand the tenuous relationship between Whites and Native Americans, and to think that I would be moved by a Spokane Indian was never really plausible in my mind. Many common readers proclaim to have been enlightened by this novel on Native American issues, but none who praise the books’ educational value seem to mind the grotesque way in which all Native Americans are portrayed. Yet, with the acknowledgement of the novel being an educational tool on the subject of Native Americans, I ask if the way the novel raises awareness is (or should be) as important as the idea that it does raise awareness. ![]() While there has been controversy about the appropriateness of the book’s adult content for young readers among the common readers, the vast majority are willing to overlook it to enjoy the novel’s value for raising awareness of the plight of the Native Americans and the struggle they face being torn between two cultures. ![]() Literary critics uphold it as an empowering, uplifting educational tool while professional reviewers praise the novel as a heartbreaking comic poem about an unfortunate boy making his way up in the world. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a young adult novel, largely celebrated by professional reviewers and common readers alike. ![]()
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