Part-Time Indian Theme

Without dreams and goals, success is hard to achieve. In grade school, I decided to become something in the medical field because I wished to help people

The opinions of our parents and friends or our ethics can also make our view different. I’m from a “cage-free” family which means that my parents are not strict, and they gave me a lot space to develop myself. But it doesn't mean that they don't teach me things. Of course I have common sense like I know what is right to do and what is wrong, I believe that common sense I have is from my parents. I am influenced deeply by how my parents look at things. For example, many people want to have a degree from a famous school even they don't like their majors. It’s important for them to earn a degree and make good amount money in the future even they won’t like their jobs. But for me, what I like to do is more important. I’d rather doing something that I like even I won’t make a lot money. I don't care if my major is hard to find a job or it’s hard to earn a degree, I will still give it a try with a little chance. This kind of risking spirit is defiantly from my dad. Because he's businessman and he always have to take certain risks. He told me that job is job but career is different, you have to like what you're doing for your career otherwise you will not be happy. He also said that I am young and it’s important that I give myself a chance. with

Crazy story, but I was born one month early. Yah, you heard that right. One month. That’s one thing people might not know about me, but there are also some other things that are factors in my life story:

Growing up, it was beaten into my head the importance of going to college to get a good job. I have to provide for myself and make good money. I won’t be “happy” unless I have this. Even though my parents told me that the game was just a game, I was still impacted by the very thought of not failing at life. Based off the game I had the notion that was how the real world worked, and in a weird way, it is how it works. The goals aspired in that game are ones my parents and authority figures have me strive for continually, to go to college, get a job, have a family, be successful. There’s all kinds of pressure at the dinner table of, “So do you know what you want to be when you grow up? A lawyer, a doctor, or a business woman?” Even in middle school I was given personality assessments to figure out my future career, and how to plan my high school schedule according to my desired profession.

From a very early age, I always assumed it was a part of my future to pursue an education. The American educational system engraves the importance of school at a very young age. Elementary school children are motivated through rewards when they try their hardest to reach their goals. Students are exposed to statistics and facts outlining the consequences of not getting a college degree as soon as they reach middle school. High school counselors and staff make it their priority to ensure that students apply to college. Students are conditioned to believe that education is the building block to a successful future. My cultural upbringing did not support my choice to pursue an education, however, I refused to conform to my family’s behavioral expectations because certain norms must be challenged due to progressive time periods and conflicting values.

Another mentor in Junior's life is his Wellpinit teacher Mr. P. Mr.P demonstrates great understanding, encouragement and regret towards Junior and his people. Mr. P’s understanding was shown shortly after a mishap where Junior throws a textbook at him in frustration, after finding his mother's name written in it. Instead of getting angry at Junior he is rather understanding. He knows Junior only threw it in anger at the fact he can't learn from new curriculums, Junior is someone who wants more in his education, this is seen when he says “And let me tell you, that old, old, old decrepit geometry book hit my heart with the force of a nuclear bomb. My hopes and dreams floated up in a mushroom cloud.” Instead of getting mad, Mr. P understands Junior's want for education. Lastly, Mr.P is the one who recognized Junior's intelligence and pushes him to find hope in a new school. This was shown when he says “Son,’ Mr.P said. ‘You're going to find more and more hope the farther and farther you walk away from this sad, sad, sad reservation.” (Alexie 43) Thanks to Mr. P’s encouragement Junior makes the decision to attend Reardan, where he meets wonderful people,

Acknowledged in both novels, Junior and Jin’s spontaneous actions leave them both friendless and bruised. In Junior’s case, this meant ditching the reservation’s schooling system and finding one that surpasses the education he was taught. In the spur of the moment, Junior decides to do just that and attend an all-white school in the neighboring town. Getting the courage to tell his best friend, Junior braces himself for Rowdy’s reaction. Denial embedded his friend’s senses; remoteness then trickled its way through his head

In this part of the book Junior is complaining about how his education isn't what he wants it to be. It's not good enough. This is when he realizes how bad his education and school system is. To show his outrage, Junior throws the book across the room His teacher and him then each confirm with each other what education and school means to them. Soon afterward, Junior starts to realize that something needs to change. Junior contemplates about what he wants to do and finally decided to go to the all white school, Reardan. Junior explained to his parents, ¨ I want to go to reardan,¨Í said. Reardan is the rich, white farm town that's in the wheat fields exactly twenty-two miles from the rez. And it's a hick town. I suppose, filled with farmers and rednecks and racist cops who stop every indian that drives through”(46)..Junior decides he needs to take a stand for his future. He makes a tough decision that will impact his whole life. Even with the risk of being bullied and brought down by his tribe, he still decides to change his education for the better. Hence Junior being one of the only Indian kids in his school. He doesn't know how other people behave and their

Influences come from anywhere- teachers, family, peers, school, the list goes on and on. In his narrative, “Indian Education”, Sherman Alexie depicts moments and people in his life that have impacted him. His stories range from bullies at school to life on the reservation. Each section varies in topic, however each connects to one common theme. For instance, avoid conforming to stereotypes is a theme of “Indian Education”.

The reservations in which Native Americans live on are impoverished and and suffering more and more as days go by. Finding jobs is strenuous and trying to provide for families has proven to be even more of a challenge. These Native American communities are barely getting by financially. As shown in novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time

To have a goal enables a person to do his/her best in whatever they set out to accomplish. Achieving academic excellence in high school has given me a love of learning. This desire for more knowledge propels me towards a college education that will prepare me to do my best in my future. Having the perseverance to become healthier has inspired me to work toward being a dietician. I have chosen this career goal because an increasing number of people in our country are struggling with obesity. In addition to these goals of a higher education and a career path, I would like to be a mother and raise my own family. Family is very important to me because I believe that family has a major influence on one’s personality. Without the influence of my family, I would not be who I am today.

Family or friends can mislead you from your passions and if you decide to follow them it could distinctively affect your perspective on life. I feel that you should do whatever your heart desires. If that means leaving you peers dissatisfied then they did not see what was best for you. I believe you should accompany your devotions for the pleasure of yourself. My mom always says to me, “Maddy, its ok that you don’t know exactly what your going to do in life, just remember to always do what your passionate about.” The rationality behind this is that she wants the best for her daughter; she wants me to follow my dreams no matter what anyone tells me. If I were to let other people tell me not to accomplish my hobbies I would end up being miserable and feel robbed of happiness. My cousin let influences direct her otherwise. She wanted to be an interior designer but everyone was saying “ its too expensive to go to a good school, you waited too long to get in to the courses.” This is an example of how your surroundings can influence your determination to chase your passions. A personal citation I have of the unwanted outcome of outside influences is when I was in grade ten. I wanted to tryout for the volleyball team, but my friends were telling me that it would distract me from my studies and I wasn’t cut out for it. I recall one of my “friends” saying, “I don’t even think

College and life beyond the reservation was a distant dream due to poverty. Junior and his family live in poverty, along with most of the residents of the reservation. The school Junior originally attended, Wellpinit High School, was outdated and could not support someone who dreamed of leaving the reservation for

Adolescents experience a developmental journey as they transition from child to adult, and in doing so are faced with many developmental milestones. Physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes are occurring during this tumultuous stage of life, and making sense of one’s self and identity becomes a priority. Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian addresses the challenges of adolescence in an engaging tale, but deals with minority communities and cultures as well.

Throughout our lives, we experience lots of conflict. These conflicts can contribute to decisions we make for ourselves and our future. Throught The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-time Indian, the main character, Junior, is faced with many difficulties. These conflicts opened Junior’s eyes so he could see he had to leave the reservation if he wanted to do something with his life. This meant Junior had to be brave by going against his community, seeing the flaws of his society, and taking care of himself.