Part-Time Indian Mentors

In every culture, society or community there are always mentors who play influential roles in raising the next generation. In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, Junior has many mentors that guided him to make important and crucial decisions throughout his life. His geometry teacher, Mr. P made Junior see his true potential above and beyond the classroom and even outside the reservation. Junior joined a new school outside the reservation where he met his Coach, he had pushed Junior past his limits as he expecting the most from him. In addition, Junior’s grandmother was a strong role model and taught Junior to tolerate and to accept everybody. Therefore, Junior benefited from his relationships with Mr.

P who showed him is potential, Coach who expected the most of him and his grandmother who showed him to be tolerant and accepting of all people.

To begin, Junior’s geometry teacher Mr.

P made Junior realize that his potential goes further than his classroom and his small reservation.When Junior realized that his geometry book was also his moms it made him realize how limited his education was. For instance, after Junior hit Mr.P with the textbook, Mr.P approached him and they agreed that his education was limited. Mr.P explains why “You can’t give up. You won’t give up. You threw that book in my face because somewhere inside you refuses to give up.” (Alexie 43) Mr.P explained to Junior that his actions mean that he does not want to settle for a bad education . He is also lighting up a fire in Junior that he should never give up on his dreams to have a better education. This made Junior realize that despite his family being unsuccessful he still had a the potential to do something good with his. To reinforce Junior’s realization on not giving up, Mr.P had given him hope and led him in the direction on where to find him. Mr.P explained: “Where is hope?” I asked. “Who has

hope?”
”son,” Mr.P said. “You’re going to find more and more hope the farther and farther you walk away from this sad, sad, sad reservation.”(Alexie 43) Junior lights up an idea in his head, if he ever wanted to succeed he had to leave the reservation. The following week he took a dangerous move that could risk the relationship with his reservation. He moved to Reardan an all white school. Although he was the number one gossip around the reservation he did the right move and followed Mr.P’s directions. In conclusion, Mr.P’s reinforcement of Juniors potential and encouragement of leaving the reservation gives the confidence to Junior to go to Reardan.

Next, in his new school Junior joined tha basket ball team where his Coach expected a lot from him which pushed Junior out of his comfort zone.

When Junior was trying out for the basketball team, he was put against the biggest guy on the team and the Coach had no mercy. For example when Junior lost the ball to Roger, Coach kept on pushing Arnold to try again. Coach insists “What are you waiting for? Coach asked me. Play some D.” Awake I ran after Roger, but he dunked it before I was even close “Go again,” Coach said [.....] “You want to take him on again? Or do you need a break?” Ninety percent of me wanted to take a break. But I knew if i took that break I would never make the team.”I’ll take him on again,” I said. Coach smiled. (Alexis 140) Junior starts to push himself as the Coach tells him to play again. He starts to find the drive within himself to keep playing the biggest guy on the team despite how much he wanted to take a break. Junior’s desire to be on the team was greater than his needs to quit and as a result he listens to his Coach and made the team. As a result, Arnold became a very good shooter and was the secret weapon to all of their games. On the last and most important game Coach decided to switch it up as he had so much faith in Arnold and thought he could handle to be on defence, his weakest position. For example Coach says, “Coach wanted me to guard Rowdy. I mean, I was a pretty good shooter, but I wasn’t a great defensive player.[...]”Coach” I said.

“I’m really honored by this. But I don’t think I can do it.” He walked over to me, kneeled, and pushed his forehead against mine. Our eyes were, like, an inch apart. I could smell the cigarettes and chocolate in his breath. “You can do it,” coach said.(Alexie 187) While Junior did not believe in himself he listened to the Coach and trusted his decision. Once again the Coach stretched Junior’s capability and mind set to believe that he could do it. In summary, Coach mentored Junior in a way to stretch his personal mindset, and belief in being able to accomplish the unexpected.