Theme Of Violence In The Novel 'The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian'

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Jayd Wollentine
2014070961
G. Carstens
Nov 1, 15, 5:51 PM

In the 2007 novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, various themes are explored which are extremely relevant with regards to the everyday struggles one experiences with the coming of age. The main theme of the story is hope, and that in hardship, there is joy to be found. This theme however, would not be so emphasized without the very prominent theme of violence, which is extremely profound in the main character, Arnold Spirits and as well as associated characters’ lives, through both physical and psychological violence as a result of alcohol, bullying, race differences, and being different. This essay will examine the reasoning behind violence and …show more content…

Arnold is often bullied physically and verbally, and is pushed around in the reservation, with a quoted example being “They call me retard when they are pantsing me or stuffing my head in the toilet or just smacking me upside the head,” (Alexie, 2007; 4). Furthermore, bullying due to race, is also a prominent form of psychological violence shown in the novel, with examples such as Arnold being taunted at Reardan, where he is surrounded by white classmates and has to endure constant racist jokes and nicknames, from both students and from his teachers and Penelope's father, who jokingly warns Junior against sleeping with his daughter and "making some charcoal babies" (Alexie, 2007; 108). Junior often experiences racism on the reservation and constantly observes the effect that generations of historical and systematic racism have had on the Coeur d’Alene tribe. The above factors are but a few causes and effects of physical and psychological violence that one is exposed to in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time

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