In The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, Penelope reveals that people of any race may feel constrained within a community and that one should not allow it to suppress their own beliefs. Penelope and Junior have developed a relationship. At school, she confronts Arnold and explains her opinions towards Reardan, "'I hate this little town.…The people here have small ideas'" (111). This shows that there are always constraints in the world. Penelope tells Junior her opinion about Reardan to show that even white people face suppression when following their dreams. She suggests that all humans were born to face obstacles. Junior has already taken a stab at defying his predicted future by transferring to Reardan. He has successfully transferred, though is still working to polish his appearance. Sherman Alexie includes this quote from Penelope to teach Junior that occasionally the world will make him feel it's turning against him. It encourages him to remain obdurate during times of little leeway and discretion.
Along with Mary's marriage and escape, this scene prompts Arnold to recognize his own dreams and challenge them. He begins to see the beauty of expression, "…there was no way Penelope and I were going to sit still. Nope, we both wanted to fly" (112). This quote illustrates that both Penelope and Junior feel as if they are restrained from being successful because of their family history, and current status. Through his discussion with Penelope, he learns to accept what has been constructed and how go beyond what has been fixed in the past. He commences this deep metamorphosis of character by liking Penelope. He isn't scared of liking a white girl, something his ancestors could never do. He finds the moxie in his soul to break boundaries and oppose limitations that were once believed to be unalterable.
1) Junior never states what he dreams of being. He seems to have little decision yet. Create an imaginary/what you think he would be (that is appropriate) dream job/occupation for Junior.
2) How do you think Penelope and Junior's relationship will unfold?
3) Do you think Penelope's relationship is producing a positive or negative effect on Junior? Why?
4) Sherman Alexie describes a world of suppression, and racism. How does this relate to our world, BB&N or who has the ability to follow their dreams?
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ReplyDeleteI think that one dream job for Arnold, though very practical and not exactly too thrilling or extravagant as Penelope's hope for traveling the world, could be a teacher. As we know, Arnold is very smart. He surpasses many of his peers in academics, despite being a poor Indian from the reservation. I think Arnold would make a great teacher. Arnold isn't an ordinary rez Indian. He pushes the limitations that have been set for his people. He continues to have hope, though his ancestors were taught to give up their hope. Arnold is courageous for going to Reardan. All of these things would make a great role model for students from struggling families like the one he grew up in. Also, since Arnold's own teacher (Mr. P) inspired him to chase after hope, Arnold could do the same for following generations.
ReplyDeleteI think that Penelope and Junior relationship is producing a positive and negative affect on Junior. It is positive because when he is with Penelope he is happy. They talk about their future and what they want to pursue in their lifetime. Once he started “dating” Penelope, he started to gain more male and female friends at Reardan. On page 110 Junior said, “Because I got to hold hands with Penelope, and kiss her goodbye… the other boys in school decided I was a major stud.” This is showing that once he started being seen with Penelope he gained a lot more friends which is good because before that he only had one friend, Gordy. Although, this also resulted in a negative way because he started to be called a racist not only by Rowdy, but also by Gordy. He was being called this because he wanted a white girl to love him. “The guy who wrote this article says more people care about beautiful white girls than they do about everybody else on the planet.” This was said by Gordy on page 116 when he was telling Junior that he is racist. Junior is falling under the spell of always loving the pretty white girl. He probably doing this because he is going to a school with only white people This is why I think their realtionship can be interpreted in a postive and negative way.
ReplyDeleteI believe Penelope's relationship with Junior is creating a good affect on him because he now sees life with different "lenses" or a different set of eyes such as Penelope's. Penelope is shining a impactful light on Junior because previously at the "rez" his culture would refuse to believe that the white people did not have pitch perfect lives. "I don't know if hope is white. But I do know that hope for me is like some mythical creature", explains Junior on pg.51, this statement shows us that in the Indian Culture there are many flaws on howe they view others.
ReplyDeleteOne job that Junior could dream of is being an artist. His cartoons mean so much to him already, and he can use those feelings to connect to other people. “I use them to understand the world. I use them to make fun of the world. To make fun of people” (95). He puts his feelings and thoughts into them, and when other people see them, they can easily interpret them. “I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats” (6). The only way he can escape from the reservation is by being an artist, and he’ll be able to get attention from anyone without caring so much about identity.
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ReplyDeleteI think that junior may become a photographer. He loves drawing and being in other places. I think that being a photographer would help him with his dream, to leave the reservation, and to go to other, beautiful places. I think that when Junior says “I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats” (6). Is showing how his creativity helps him escape, but he still is sitting in a basement secluded and depressed and as he gets older, he will like to forget that depression from his youth. I think that being a photographer will help cleanse himself of his youth and make him feel free.
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