Analysis Of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian

Five million two hundred thousand Native Americans are suffering from poverty, alcoholism, unemployment and high rates of suicide (Peralta, "Native Americans Left Behind”). In the unfortunate events of discrimination and prejudice against First Nations, they are at huge disadvantages and do not have many rights (McCue, "Racism against Aboriginal People”). Sherman Alexie, is able to share and beautifully capture the experiences of a typical Native American through his book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Throughout this novel, Junior shares his struggles of being an ethnic minority, who is a hydrocephalic, has a stutter, and a lisp (Alexie 1-4). Junior’s teacher on reservation advises him to transfer schools because he says

This is unhealthy because bullying leads to high rates of suicide victims (Kaplan, "Teens Taunted by Bullies”). Once he starts to believe the atrocious words that he hears, it very likely can result in Junior finding all the reasons to take his life (Kaplan, "Teens Taunted by Bullies”). To begin, the fact that Junior lives in poverty and resides twenty-two miles away from Reardan, teachers are extremely closed minded and not accepting. In short, Junior consecutively misses twenty days of school (Alexie 137). To illustrate, Junior’s teacher announces, “We have a special guest today. It’s Arnold Spirit. I didn’t realize you still went to this school” (Alexie 137). Also, “You really shouldn’t be missing class this much” (Alexie 138). This is insulting to trained professionals because they do not have rights to treat their students so terribly. Instead, his teacher should ask what the problem is and provide assistance as something is obviously wrong. Moreover, Mrs. Jeremy makes his experience at Reardan so much worse because he does not have the chance to explain himself and instead, she embarrasses and destructs Juniors sanity. In fact, it is nearly impossible for him to walk to school since it is a ten-hour walk ("Google Maps" Google). Secondly, prejudice and discrimination against

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing” ("Theodore Roosevelt" Xplore Inc). This is not the first occasion where he encounters a bad experience at Reardan and demonstrates that he ultimately volunteers to sacrifice himself as a scapegoat because he does not leave. To finish off, peers at Junior’s new school find many ways to identify his flaws and are remarkably rude and judgmental. In fact, a classmate at Junior’s school yells, “Did you know that Indians are living proof that niggers fuck buffalo” (Alexie 52)? Thankfully, Junior defends himself by punching his classmate, Roger, in the face, but feels very guilty afterwards (Alexie 52). Despite that Roger is white, seven feet tall and three hundred pounds, he does not intimidate Junior and is horribly racist (Alexie 52). These kids give Junior a very difficult time, which justifies all the reasons to return. In summary, it is essential for Junior to transfer back because he perceives to be a disgusting creature that meanders around the halls of Reardan by teachers, adults and his