Name ______________________________ Date ___________ Mrs. Nellins

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Title

What do you think about the title? o Absolutely true – is it? If someone says “absolutely true,” one wonders…o True diary – is it? Fiction, so it’s not a true diaryo Part-time – how can one be a part-time Indian?

Biracial Not wanting to be completely Indian? Or completely white?

Do you think we will be able to trust that everything he says will be absolutely true? Why or why not?o Yes? – says it’s true?o No? – insisting too strongly it’s true?

Quick WriteTurn and Talk

Do you think people label you with a stereotype? What is unfair about the stereotype?

Identity

What does the author mean by the following quotation? “Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of a community.” How does it describe what most teenagers go through?

How do you think the quote above might predict what Arnold will describe in his diary?

This drawing captures the author’s part-humorous, part-serious viewpoint about his semi-autobiographical character, Arnold Spirit, Jr.

Is the author being humorous, serious, or both? What does he mean by the descriptions included on each side?

White Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

CHAPTER RESPONSE QUESTIONS

“The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club” pages 1-6

1. Why is Junior a member of ‘the Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club’?

Junior is constantly being beaten up by other Indians on the rez, so he often has a black eye.

2. Why does Junior draw cartoons? What do the first two cartoons depict? What does this tell us about Junior?

He draws because words are too unpredictable and too limited. Drawings are universal – everybody can understand it. He wants to talk to the world and have the world pay attention to him. He wants to be a rich and famous artist – the only way, he says, to be rich and famous.

3. Describe the style of writing in the first chapter.

Informal, chatty, reflective, humorous, resigned

“Why Chicken Means So Much to Me” pages 7-13

1. What does Junior identify as the worst thing about being poor?

One might think being hungry is the worst thing, but Junior tells how his dog Oscar got sick and needed to go to the vet. Because the family had no money, the dad shot the dog because it was so sick.

2. Arnold says, “And hey, in a weird way, being hungry makes food taste better” (Alexie 8). What does this statement show us about Junior?

Junior is a fairly optimistic, resigned young man – finds humor or positivity in his situation.

3. What happens to Oscar? What does this illustrate to the reader?

Oscar got sick, and Junior didn’t have the money to take him to the vet. Junior’s father shot him. Illustrates how poor the family is and also how there is a matter-of-factness to their existence. What needs to be done is

done.

4. How is poverty a cycle for Junior’s family?

Everyone in his family has always been poor, his parents, his grandparents, etc. Junior says his parents come from poor people who came from poor people all the way back to the very first poor people.

5. Use five adjectives to describe Junior’s personality so far.

Reflective Resigned Positive - optimistic Humorous Insightful Insecure Powerless Respectful

“Revenge Is My Middle Name” pages 15-24

1. Describe Rowdy and Junior’s relationship. What do they do for each other?

Rowdy and Junior are best friendso Rowdy protects Junior – has since he was born;o Junior draws

2. What is the Spokane Powwow?

A celebration of Indian heritage – dancing, eating, games

3. What does Rowdy do to the Andruss brothers? Why? What does this demonstrate about his friendship with Junior?

After they beat up Junior, they get drunk and pass out Rowdy shaves off their eyebrows and cuts off their braids, probably the worst thing that can be done to an Indian

“Because Geometry Is Not a Country Somewhere Near France” pages 25-311. Describe Mr. P.

He is skinny, old, lazy; a “weird old coot,” non-demanding; shows up for class, wearing pajamas, lonely old man

2. Why is Junior so cynical about white teachers?

Calls them “liberal, white vegetarian do-gooders and conservative, white missionary saviors

3. What angers Junior about his geometry book?

The geometry book was used by his mother 30 years ago. He is furious that the same old book is still being used. He says the fact that he is studying from the same book his parents studied from “is absolutely the saddest thing in the world.”

“Hope Against Hope” pages 32-431. Why does Junior throw his geometry book? What does it signify?

When he realized the age of the book, he says, “My hopes and dreams floated up in a mushroom cloud.” As a result, he is absolutely furious and wildly and angrily throws his book. This signifies his disappointment and anger – his hopes are dashed.

2. Why does Mr. P say the following? “Every white person on this rev should get smashed in the face. But, let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too” (Alexie 40).

He says all the Indians should get smashed in the face because they have given up on themselves.

3. What is Mr. P’s advice to Junior? Why does he give him this advice?

He tells him to leave the reservation. Tells him not to give up. He said if Junior stays on the reservation, Mr. P will kill him. He said that Junior has been fighting since he was born, and he needs to leave, telling Junior that he will find more and more hope the farther and farther he gets from the reservation.

“Go Means Go” pages 44-471. How do Junior’s parents react to his decision to change schools? What does this show about them?

They are surprised but supportive – they understand what motivates him to leave. They want a better life for their son. They warn him that the community will respond very negatively. They may recognize that staying on the reservation is hopeless.

“Rowdy Sings the Blues” pages 48-531. How are sporting results used to compare the two schools?

In every competition between the two schools, Reardan annihilates the rez, both athletically and academically.

2. Why is it significant that Rowdy performed well at most competitions?

After each loss, Rowdy vowed to beat them. Rowdy does well, but the deck is stacked against him – there are too many able people at Reardan.

3. How does Rowdy react to Junior’s decision to move schools? Why does he react in this way?

Rowdy is absolutely furious – insists Junior is joking. Rowdy punches Junior in the face after Junior touches Rowdy on the shoulder to console him.

4. How does Rowdy disguise his pain?

By screaming and punching Junior. Calls Junior a “retarded fag.”

“How to Fight Monsters” pages 54-661. Why is Junior deemed to have betrayed his tribe?

He goes to a school off the reservation, a school that the rez school has a big rivalry with (Rowdy says he doesn’t even drive through the town of Reardan).

2. Describe the cartoon on page 57. What does this symbolize about Junior’s insecurities?

Many of Junior’s insecurities have to do with appearance: his physique and what he is wearing.

3. How does the confusion over Junior’s names demonstrate his change in culture?

Junior is his name on the rez, and Arnold is the name he adopts in the white community He is changing who he is to fit in.

4. How do the students react to Junior at Reardan?

They stare at him. They call him offensive names – Roger keeps calling him Chief. Roger tells a very racist joke about Junior’s heritage.

5. How could Junior have reacted to being called names?

Instead of punching Roger, he could have tried to talk with Roger sensibly. Tell Roger that it’s not okay.

6. How does the fight illustrate the differences in social codes?

Indian Rules re: fighting – pp. 61-62 – physical fighting is a common occurrence – is the social norm. In Reardan, the kids don’t physically fight. Junior is confused by the difference in behavior.

7. ‘Maybe I was telling the world I was no longer a moving target.’ How is this a significant moment for Junior?

Junior is telling the world that he will fight back – he is not a victim, a hopeless person, or a moving target for the world to attack.

“Grandmother Gives Me Some Advice” pages 67-731. Junior says, “I realized how much of my self-worth, my sense of safety, was based on Rowdy’s fists” (Alexie 68). How does Junior learn to stand up for himself?

He punches Roger back

2. What is Junior’s grandmother’s advice?

He should have walked away He should have kicked him in the balls You have punched the alpha dog

“Tears of a Clown” pages 74-761. What does Junior’s story about Dawn illustrate to the reader?

Junior is attracted to girls out of his reach. Junior is a sensitive, emotional kid – cries a lot Rowdy is Junior’s secret keeper – his best friend – losing his friendship is a giant loss

“Halloween” pages 77-811. How does Junior try to establish a connection with Penelope?

By remarking on the fact that both are dressed as homeless people. He decides to collect money for the homeless when he goes out on Halloween.

2. How does trick or treating remind Junior of Rowdy?

Junior realizes that if Rowdy were with him on Halloween, Junior never would have been jumped because Rowdy was his protector.

Junior also hopes one of the three attackers was not Rowdy.

”Slouching Toward Thanksgiving” pages 82-98

1. How does the author illustrate Junior’s loneliness?

Grows a zit on the end of his nose Plays catch with himself Alone all the time – “white kids did not talk to me. “They barely looked at me.” – Zero, zilch, nada Rez (Indian) road to Reardan (less than Indian) Reardan (even less than that “It was the loneliest time of my life.”

2. What is significant about Junior speaking up in class?

Jr. is usually totally quiet in class Jr. shows how smart he is – goes really badly

3. How does Mr. Dodge reply and how does this make Junior feel?

Mr. Dodge shows how racist he is – treats Jr. like an idiot Thanks Gordy for info but doesn’t thank Junior

4. Examine the cartoon of Junior’s journey to school on p. 88. Contrast this to how you normally get to school.

Getting to school is never easy – every week it’s different – no gas, hungover father…

5. What does Mary do? Why?

Gets married to a Flathead Indian – a card player who is willing to gamble Calls parents from reservation in Montana

6. How does Junior become friends with Gordy? What do they have in common?

Because Junior recognizes Mary’s courage, he decides to ask Gordy to be his friend Gordy first worries that Junior is hitting on him – Junior reassures Gordy that he just wants friendship They study together (Jr. doesn’t share his dreams/secrets with Gordy, like he did with Rowdy They also talk about books

“My Sister Sends Me an E-mail” pages 99-1001. Summarize Mary’s email in three bullet points.

She’s looking for a job as a waitress She wants to have 10 kids and stay on the reservation (ironic because she has run away and left one reservation only to

another reservation) She says she is very happy Whites and Indians co-exist mostly peacefully The reservation is big – there are five towns They go to a hotel for their honeymoon – she orders Indian flatbread – reminds her of her grandmother

“Thanksgiving” pages 101-1031. Why does Junior think of Rowdy at Thanksgiving time?

Because Rowdy is always at their house at Thanksgiving They always have a pumpkin pie eating contest

2. Describe the cartoon Junior draws.

Cartoon –Arnold and Rowdy as superheroes Brings cartoon to Rowdy’s house –3. Why is Rowdy’s respect still so important to Junior?

Junior really cares about Rowdy

3. How does Rowdy’s father regard the cartoon?

Rowdy’s dad says it’s kind of gay Arnold asks the dad to give it to Rowdy As he leaves, he sees Rowdy with cartoon Rowdy flips him off

Is this type of reaction typical in today’s society?

Yes, in some cultures more than others

How could the fear of being considered ‘gay’ limit male interactions?

Can limit sharing of real emotions Junior is emotional – does share his feelings

“Hunger Pains” pages 104-113

1. How does Penelope and Junior’s friendship develop?

Junior leaves a boring class and hears Penelope throwing up in the bathroom He can’t go in, so he knocks on the door and waits He confronts Penelope about being anorexic she corrects him, saying she’s bulimic She opens up, telling him why she is bulimic

2. How are Penelope and Junior using each other?

Junior uses her to move up in the popularity chain She uses him to make her father angry She also uses him to appear not as perfect

3. What advice does Junior give Penelope? Is it good advice?

He tells her not to give up He says she won’t make it halfway around the world if she doesn’t eat (her very specific dreams [she’s a freshman] are to

travel the world and to be an architect)

“Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love” pages 114-117

1. Why does Junior refer to how ‘white’ Penelope is? What is the effect of this?

Emphasizes the racial divide between them – the difference in appearance Idealizes her – raises her on a pedestal – “most perfect vanilla dessert”

2. Gordy claims, “White girls are privileged. They’re damsels in distress” (Alexie 116). What does this mean?

White girls are like princesses – society also perpetuates this idea; reminder of what society values They have more opportunities/money/advantages Example Gordy provides: the one white girl who goes missing in Mexico is written about repeatedly, even though

hundreds of Mexican girls also have disappeared

“Dance, Dance, Dance” pages 118-1291. Why is the novel called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian?

Junior says, “I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other. It was like being Indian was my job, but it was only a part-time job.”

2. Examine the cartoon on p. 120. Analyze each of the pictures. Why do you think Alexie presents the information in this way?

Each is a portrayal of what it’s like to be poor. Pictures say more than words often. Easy to understand.

3. How do Penelope and Roger react to Junior’s admission that he is poor?

With compassion – Penelope kisses him and Roger lends him money and drives him home many times4. What does Junior learn by the end of the chapter?

“If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.”

“Don’t Trust Your Computer” pages 130-1321. What does Junior email Rowdy and how does he reply? Why does this make Junior laugh?

Junior really misses Rowdy, so he sends him a digital photo of his smiling face Rowdy sends Junior a digital photo of his bare butt It made Junior laugh but also made him depressed. He laughs, appreciating that Rowdy is completely unrepressed – he is crazy-funny-disgusting, unlike many of the kids at Reardan.

2. Why do the people at home call Junior an ‘apple’?

Red (Indian) on the outside and white on the inside (looks like an Indian but acts like a white person)

3. What does Gordy say about the role of the tribe? How is this applicable to Junior?

If a person isn’t good for making food, shelter, or babies (productive for the tribe), then the person would be tossed out. The community protects itself against predators – it survives because the people trust each other.

“My Sister Sends Me a Letter” pages 133-1341. What does Junior think of Mary’s ‘gorgeous new place’?

According to Junior, her gorgeous new place (a Airstream trailer) looks like a TV dinner tray.

“Reindeer Games” pages 135-1491. Why does Junior try out for the basketball team?

Junior tries out after talking with his father, who tells him that “you have to dream big to get big.”

2. What happens at try-outs? Why does Junior get in?

Junior is sent sprawling by Roger during one drill (1-on-1 full court), but he runs the 100 laps, does every drill without complaining, and makes a sweet jump shot.

He makes the team because he is perseverant and is an excellent shooter.

3. Why does Junior say “it was like something out of Shakespeare” (Alexie 142) when he discovers their first game is against Wellpinit?

The fact that their first game is against Wellpinit is almost like a perfectly set-up wrong way to start – he is playing against his friends, who already feel like he is a traitor – bound to be very intense.

4. What happens when Junior enters the gym? How does he react? Why?

The noise completely stops, and all the tribal members turn their backs on him – a display of contempt 5. What happens during the basketball game? Write a short news report.

Junior runs onto the court, and someone throws a quarter at him, hitting him in the forehead, causing a cut that requires three stitches.

Junior re-enters the game, goes for a lay-up, and is knocked unconscious when Rowdy slams his elbow into Junior’s head. Junior goes to the hospital in an ambulance, the Coach visits him later in his room, and the two talk all night.

“And a Partridge in a Pear Tree” pages 150-1511. Describe Junior’s Christmas.

Junior’s dad leaves from Xmas Eve until January 2nd. He comes back, hungover, and finally gives him a wet $5 bill from his boot.

Junior is torn – he appreciates the gesture (realizes his father didn’t spend it on alcohol) – “It was a beautiful and ugly thing.”

“Red Versus White” pages 152-1581. What good things about his culture does Junior realize?

Indians (especially his grandmother) are tolerant of differences They know each other – strong sense of community – as opposed to some Reardan fathers who never come to their kids’

games

2. Why does Junior describe his grandmother as tolerant?

“She always approached each new person and each new experience the same exact way” (155) She comes from a culture that values differences.

“Wake” pages 159-1681. Junior accepts that “We all have to find our own way to say good-bye” (Alexie 161). How does Junior do this?

At the end of Ted’s story, all the Indians laughed together – “it was the most glorious noise I’d ever heard”

2. Who is Billionaire Ted and what is his story?

He is a rich white man who collects Indian artifacts. He bought an Indian powwow dancer outfit – he felt bad because it was stolen and thought it had belonged to Junior’s grandmother

He presents this outfit to Junior’s mother who says this was not her mother’s

3. Junior explains, “We lived and died together” (Alexie 166). What does this show about Junior’s community?

Junior’s community is very connected – 2,000 Indians show up for the grandmother’s funeral

“Valentine Heart” pages 169-1781. How does Junior cope with his grief?

Takes a long time off school Keeps making lists of things that bring him joy Keeps drawing what makes him angry

2. What do Junior’s cartoons (on pages 170 & 171) reveal about his emotions?

Feels helpless; overwhelmed Angry – wants to lash out at the world Parents rely on him Underlying sense of humor - ridicules

3. What happens in Mrs. Jeremy’s class? Why is this so significant to Junior?

Mrs. Jeremy criticizes him for not coming to school.

Students all drop their books and walk out of the room. Junior feels supported. Junior tells her there are only two types of people: people who are assholes and those who are not.

“In Like a Lion” pages 179-1961. How does Junior explain his improvement in basketball?

The power of expectations – becoming what is expected of you

2. What does the cartoon on page 182 demonstrate about his feelings?

Wellpinit – devil – in both places, he questions who he is – booed by Indians Reardan – angel – cheered by fans

3. How does Sherman Alexie build tension towards the game?

The teams are seeded first and second Arnold is scoring 12 pt/game, whereas Rowdy is scoring 25 pt/game Game will be a home game for Reardan

4. What is the Reardan game plan? Is this successful?

To shut Rowdy down – Junior guards Rowdy, and Rowdy only scores four points

5. How does Coach give his team confidence?

He tells them that they aren’t as skillfull as the Wellpinit team, but they have more heart

6. What happens during the game? Why does Junior cry when the game is finished? What does he realize?

Reardan loses. Junior cries at the end of the game because although Reardan wins, Junior realizes that the Indians on the Wellpinit team

have lots of problems – alcoholism, no food, poverty – and he feels bad about beating them

“Rowdy and I Have a Long and Serious Discussion about Basketball” pages 197-198

1. Why is the chapter title humorous?

Rowdy and Junior exchange emails. Junior apologizes for beating them so badly, and Rowdy responds, saying that “We’ll kick your assess next year….And you’ll cry like the little faggot you are.” Junior responds, saying, “I might be a faggot… but I’m the faggot who beat you.” Rowdy comments back, “Ha-ha.” Junior is thrilled that there is a little communication and it is a little friendly.

“Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses” pages 199-2131. How does Mary die?

Mary and her husband had a party at their trailer they fell asleep drunk there was a fire, and they died

2. How does Junior react to Mary’s death? Why does he react in this way?

He goes out of the school and waits in the freezing cold for his father to pick him. By the time his father arrives, Junior is completely freaked out, worrying that his father got into an accident and died on the way to get him. He laughs hysterically and then falls asleep, wakes up again, and laughs again. He obviously is heartbroken.

3. Why does Junior feel responsible in some way for Mary’s death?

Junior feels guilty because he believes that Mary left the rez because he left it. If she hadn’t left, she wouldn’t have died.

4. How do the students at Reardan show they care? Junior’s teacher criticizes Junior for being so quiet and “absent” in class All of the students, one at a time, drop their books on the floor and walk out of the room The students are sympathetic to Junior for his losses

“My Final Freshman Year Report Card” page 214

1. Describe Junior’s report card.

Junior receives an A in English, a B+ in Geology, an A in Geometry, an A- in History, an A in P.E., an A in Computer Programming, and a B- in Let’s-Make-Birdhouses Woody Shop.

“Remembering” pages 215-2181. What realizations does Junior arrive at?

He knows he will always love Mary. He cries for his sister, for his tribe, for his fellow tribal members who are slowly killing themselves, for being the only one

who is brave and crazy enough to leave the rez, for knowing that he will never drink and kill himself. He also realizes he is not the only lonely person in the world.

2. What tribes does Junior belong to? How does this help him feel better?

Spokane Indians, American immigrants, basketball players, bookworms, cartoonists, chronic masturbators, teenage boys, small-town kids, Pacific Northwesterners, tortilla chips-and-salsa lovers, poverty, funeral-goers, beloved sons, and boys who really missed their best friends.

“Talking About Turtles” pages 219-230

1. Why do Junior and Rowdy climb the tree? What does this symbolize?

Because it is there and it is huge. That day they weren’t afraid of falling. This symbolizes being able to overcome obstacles.

2. How does Rowdy compare Junior to a nomad?

He says Junior is a nomad – he left the reservation. Rowdy said he always knew Junior would leave, that he had a dream where Junior was at the Great Wall in China. Rowdy says, “You’re an old-time nomad…You’re going to keep moving all over the world in search of food and water and grazing land.”

3. ‘Junior reveals, “We didn’t keep score” (Alexie 230). What does the final line signify?

Junior is saying that winning or losing doesn’t matter. What matters is the game.

3. Do you think Rowdy and Junior will remain friends? Explain.

Answers will vary.