The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian By Sherman Alexie

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In the 2007 semi-autobiographical novel “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian” by Sherman Alexie, we see the story of a boy living on an American Indian reservation named Arnold who faces many challenges such as his choice to change schools and unfortunately losing his family. In the novel, Arnold's decision to move to a white school and play on their basketball team against Wellpinit causes strife. This decision shows us how going against your culture can damage you internally and leave you as an outcast. In chapter 20 we see our character Arnold go up against Wellpoint for the first time for the Redden basketball team. Arnold actively played in the game when his coach asked, "You want to take him on again?" Or do you need a break?" …show more content…

The win left Arnold very pleased as he had defended against his friend and had locked him down at nearly every attempt made. With Arnold performing well, the home crowd of course was very supportive as well, along with his coach saying "You can do it." This quote left a big impact on Arnold with him reacting with "Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult?'' This reaction shows how the setting he is in the home court makes him feel safer as there are more Rearden families there than Wellpinnit families who have been calling him “Apple”. As Arnold said, “My white fans were going to cheer for me like I was some kind of crusading warrior”. As the game wraps up they win, which of course makes Arnold ecstatic but this happiness is short-lived when he looks around and sees how nice the area is compared to Wellington and how all the Rearden families are all together and don't have as dire problems such as alcoholism or just trying to feed their kids at this moment Arnold realized and thought “Then I realized something. I realized that my team, the Reardan Indians, was Goliath." This is when the setting hit him with the force of a truck, his team were the giants and Wellpinnit were the underdogs. The realization Arnold felt links to the real world in that when people realize the troubles of other people and

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