Examples Of Alcoholism In The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian

Alcoholism, is a need or dependence to drink alcohol. Alcoholism is usually portrayed as just being drunk all time but it is so much more as portrayed by Sherman Alexie. In the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie Shows what Alcoholism truly is and its effects on people, as shown in the scene with Arnold’s dad leaving right before Christmas, His Dad not being around along with Rowdy’s Dad being abusive, and the loss of loved ones because of alcohol. Christmas is a time for families to get together and remember how much they love each other, but for Arnold, his family isn’t rich enough to afford a good, happy, traditional christmas so his Dad takes what little money they had and practically lived in a bar for ten days (150). This shows how Arnold’s Dad sees alcohol as more important than his family. Arnold’s Dad would try to make it up to Arnold by giving him five dollars but it wasn’t enough (151). Arnold’s Dad may have left because he didn’t want to be around

Arnold’s Grandmother was a very kind, wise, unique person. She was the person who gave Arnold advice about life and how to be a better person. Arnold’s Grandmother had “never touched a drop of alcohol in her life” yet was killed by a runaway drunk driver (157). This shows that alcohol doesn’t just affect the people who use it, it can affect everyone. Eugene was Arnold’s mentor, Arnold looked up to Eugene. Arnold saw Eugene as this really cool guy who drove a cool bike. Arnold saw Eugene “as an Uncle, an Uncle that’s always drunk, Not bad drunk just drunk”(70). Arnold still looked up to Eugene, so when he got shot over the last drink of wine in a bottle that showed Arnold that best friends could turn on each other one minute and when they were sober enough to realize what they had done they would immediately regret