Two of the most elusive components of adolescent development are identity and sexuality. The discovery of identity is a puzzling and frustrating experience, especially during adolescence. The pressure to conform is constant and sometimes inescapable. Unfortunately, many young adults collapses under the peer pressure and it takes years for them to find their own uniqueness and individuality.
Sexuality is a quagmire of ambiguity and frustration, especially during adolescence. The unpredictable hormonal ups and downs of puberty are difficult enough, without the societal pressures of abstinence versus promiscuity. The double standard of boys sowing their wild oats and slut shaming are still as prevalent today as they were in the 1950’s.
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Junior believes that pictures are universal, “ If you are speaking and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture everyone can understand it.” (5) The drawing of cartoons provides his ticket out of the reservation. He receives a scholarship to the all white high school, Reardan. However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, by accepting the scholarship, Junior is labeled a traitor and ostracized by his only friend and community, he becomes a “Part-Time Indian.” He transforms into Arnold Spirit while attending Reardan. At first he is bullied by the jocks, but after a sharp right hook to the jaw of the leader, he shows his courage and fortitude . Arnold Spirit is dating the most popular girl in school and is on the varsity basketball team. Through his metamorphoses, Junior, aka, Arnold is able to overcome his self-deprecation and accept his new identity, along with being true to his roots. Young adults seeking to lift themselves out of tough situations can identify with the events of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. They should see in Junior the resilience and determination to achieve a better life and improved their self esteem. Alexie’s use of modern language and humor is applicable for the YA genre. His style of prose is laid back and conversational. Comparable to Junior, the lead character in Judy Blume’s Forever,
Adolescence is popularly known to be a very tumultuous stage in a person’s life. In the adolescent stage (also coined the identity vs. role confusion stage by theorist Erik Erikson) bodies are changing rapidly, emotions are unfamiliar and unexplainable, and refraining from succumbing to peer pressure is more challenging than ever.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a book that depicts cultural differences; the issues of alcohol; and friendships in a harsh, yet humorous way. Junior, the main character of the book, stands out in many ways, both to the reader, and in the book itself. He is courageous, yet also emotional and smart.
Human sexuality can be fascinating, complex, contradictory, and sometimes frustrating. Sexuality is interwoven into every aspect of being human; therefore, having knowledge about sex is as essential as having education about human anatomy. However, it is highly recommended to pay close attention when sex education is delivered to youths. (Donatelle 171)
In Sherman Alexies novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, the protagonist, Junior, overcomes many obstacles such as stereotypes, poverty and hopelessness.
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”, written by Sherman Alexie, is a novel describing a 14 year old’s journey throughout high school. In the story, Junior, the main character, is faced with multiple obstacles in his life: Hydrocephalus, poverty, and the target of bullying. Despite the world being against him, Junior’s multiple traits helps him greatly when it comes to the adversity that accompanies his migration from the Wellpinit Reservation to Rearden.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, written by Sherman Alexie, is a novel about a 14 year old Indian boy, which not too surprisingly is based on his own life. Throughout the book the main character Junior, who is later referred to as Arnold, goes through a series of events that change not only the way others look at him , but how he views himself as well. This book will teach you that it’s never too late to change your life, all you have to have is hope.
Adolescent is a disconcerting time when there are many life changes emotionally, physically, socially and psychologically. There are unrealistic expectations which lead to disappointment and rejection. The maturity level of adolescents makes them feeling life is not fair and things will never change to benefit them. Erikson’s identity vs. role confusion is an example of how developing into owns identity can be challenging, especially when learning how to transition into adulthood. Adolescence is one of the most importance stages in life where the mind and body goes through varies changes. When changes cause impairment or interfere with activities of daily living it results in
Furthermore, Arnold would not have been able to survive his freshman year at Reardan without the love from his close family and friends. With the compassion and support of his family (which includes his sister, grandmother, and parents), Eugene – and even Mr. P – Arnold was able to become successful during his first year of high school. Mr. P, Arnold’s previous geometry teacher at the Spokane reservation, does not want Arnold to lose all hope for his future and lose his chance to live a good life, so
Hope kept the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Times Indian from ending in misery and hatred. Junior’s hope grows throughout the story, even as he faces the harsh reality of life. Limitations in the form of poverty, death, physical disabilities, and bullying plague him. While Junior’s future of the reservation appeared bleak, hope for a better future played an important role in Junior’s decision to transfer to Reardan High School.
This desire is driven by the parents’ overprotectiveness and cluelessness of the knowledge of sensitive topics possessed by today’s children. It is impossible to hide youth from the topics discussed in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Objectionable content includes vulgar language, racism, and masturbation. I can speak
a white person. One thing that he said was that whites have “hope” and a “bright future” while Indians only have a “vanishing past” and a “bone-crushing reality.” Junior has these thoughts because everyone on the rez is always drunk and people die all the time like how Junior has been to 42 funerals and 90% of them are from alcohol (pages 199 and 200.) Junior ends up finding some hope at Reardon like when everyone was cheering on Junior in the basketball game and he loved the school. Even though Junior had a stereotype in his head that whites were the only ones with hope he was able to defy his own” laws.”
Finding Your Dreams :Hopes and Dreams in The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian
Gabriella Visaggio Optional Assignment 3 10/1/14 Sex Education I graduated high school in 2013, during my four years of high school we were required to take all our health classes online, even Sex Ed. I remember being a junior in high school working on the lessons for the Sex Ed sections and found that I really could care less about the topic. I had no teacher to listen too or ask questions to so, by myself had to read the lessons online and get all the questions correct in order to get an A. In order to pass this health section I basically had to teach my self about everything that involved Sexual Education. After reading Michelle Fine’s “Sexuality, School, and Adolescent Female The Missing Discourse of Desire” really opened my eyes
The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian is a very funny and interesting book. Sherman Alexie wrote the The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian, The story is educational and funny book about an Indian on the Rez named Junior. This book has been challenged because some of the parents think it is inappropriate. The absolutely true diary of a part time Indian should not be banned because of its real life experiences, the book is funny, and it has more creativity than most other of creativity.
Sexuality is a difficult topic to broach with teens. It is under constant scrutiny: how much is too much? Do youths understand more than society gives them credit for, or is society at fault for supplying them with information that they are not yet ready to cope with? In this paper I am going to explore several of the double standards and catch twenty-twos that teens have to navigate, particularly young girls. I will pay special attention to the paradox of the vixen and the virgin: that young women ought to be held accountable for their own sexual wellbeing, but at the same time remain virginal and naïve regarding sex itself. This mindset is represented by the majority of the population of the town of Lubbock, Texas in the film ‘The