In the novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Mr. P said, “Every white person on this res should get smashed in the face. But let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.” (42), while he is on Juniors porch talking to him about the book incident at school. I think Sherman Alexie is trying to show the reader that everyone can do wrong and can get off track, including the white people and the Indians. On page 35, Mr. P said, “We were supposed to kill the Indians to save the child.”, this shows that the teachers and also white people were doing wrong by trying to kill the Indians culture, this is why they should be smashed in the face with a book. On the other hand the Indians should be smashed in the face with a book because they are giving up. On (42) Mr. P said, “The only thing you kids were taught was to give up”. For generation after generation Indians have been taught to give up which is resulting in a lack of confidence in themselves and their culture. A great deal of the Indians on the reservation have gave up including, Juniors sister, Mary Runs Away and Rowdy, Junior's best friend. As we know one major theme in this novel is identity, and I think this a major quote regarding Juniors identity. All of Junior's life he has been believing that it is his fault that himself and people in his reservation give up but it wasn’t just him or other Indians, it was also white people. They would rip the Indian part out of the Indians which made them start giving up on themselves because they were realizing white people didn’t like them for who they were. This quote is showing the reader that Junior is starting to figure out more about his identity by learning that white people made an influence on many Indians giving up.
Why do you think Mr. P was trying to show Junior that it is both the Indians and Whites fault? Do you think this helped Junior or do you think it made him upset? Do you think this helped Junior find more of his identity?
I think Mr. P’s advice helped Junior continue to find his identity because instead of channelling his energy towards hating others, he will use it to keep learning and finding his talents and interests. If he starts hating the world, it will consume him, pushing his dreams away and making him forget who he really is. In The Outsiders, Dally became "hardened" from his poor experiences and started to hate the rest of the world, therefore not getting the advantage of learning more. In this way, Dally is very much like Junior's friend, Rowdy. By acting tough all the time, Dally became tough, and did not really get to find his identity beyond being labeled a “mean hood". Similarly, if Junior stays cooped up in the rez his entire life, being pushed around and labeled an outcast, he will start to give up on his dreams, which then will make him stop finding his identity. By taking Mr. P’s advice (don't give up hope, don't spend time hating others, and to get out of the rez), I think Junior will start to feel more free to pursue a better life for himself, which in turn will help uncover his identity.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. P told this to Arnold because he knows Arnold is a smart kid and he deserves better, so he wants Arnold and his people to stop letting themselves get beat up. I think Mr. P is trying to show Arnold that it's partially the Indians' faults for where they are, and if they don't give up they may find a better life. I think Mr. P doesn't want Arnold to feel bad for himself. He is telling him that everyone needs a smack in the face so Arnold will see it's his responsibility to create a better future.
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