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Theme Of The Absolutely True Diary Of Part Time Indian

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Themes make stories have purpose and meaning in what the author is trying to address to the reader. “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie and art by Ellen Forney is a story based on racism. The theme that fits the story best is “Don’t judge a race by what you’ve heard or seen, but what you’ve socialized with.” The basic symbol of the story is the comic that Junior who is the main character draws throughout the story. The first quote, “I draw all the time. I draw cartoons of my mother and father: my sister and grandmother; my best friend, Rowdy; and everybody else on the Rez” (5), is spoken by Junior, the main character. Junior is a boy who was born with brain damage, his full name is Arnold Spirit Jr. Junior loved drawing comic books and drew them all about his parents, Arnold Spirit Sr. and Agnes Adams Spirit; his sister, Mary; his Grandmother; and his best friend, Rowdy. Junior thought that words and language were too unpredictable and limited within that only a certain percentage of people could understand different languages. But, with drawings, everybody can understand the meaning. The quote relates to the theme because Indians are stereotyped of being ruthless and stupid. Junior has proved that the stereotyped thoughts were wrong by being able to draw comics and get into a school that is full of White people and is one of the smartest ones there. The second quote, “All these kids have given up. All your friends. All the bullies. All

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