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In The Absolute True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian

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In the Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Junior lives a double life in Reardan and the Spokane Reservation. Junior goes to school in Wellpinit and lives in Spokane Reserve. Living on the Reservation brings cyclical depression, despair, and substance abuse. The role alcohol plays in Junior life on the reservation is that it causes people he cares about to be harmed, Junior feeling neglected, and loss of loved ones. Although Junior does not drink alcohol himself, the majority of the people on the reservation are alcoholics. Not only does alcohol affect just people, but it also affects the people of the reservation's hopes, dreams, and futures. Because of the different ways the reservation brings dejection, they all have different ways …show more content…

Junior's father is an alcoholic and spends all his money on gambling and alcohol. For instance, he drank and gambled on Christmas(Alexie 120). This shows that Junior’s father abuses substances as a way of coping with poverty and the consequences of uncontrolled drinking. Junior's fathers drinks because it numbs the pain and allows him to feel senseless and numb. Junior’s father spending money on alcohol and gambling causes the family to have financial problems(Alexie 120), less family time, and Junior having to walk home because they don’t have enough money to spend on gas(Alexie 70). Not only does this impact Junior’s family financially, but it leaves Junior disappointed and makes Junior despondent. The way Junior copes with his alcoholic father is by laughing it off and saying it’s okay when it’s not(Alexie 120). Junior’s father drinking when Eugene and Grandma Spirit died(Alexie 125, 135) is another example. These instances show that Junior’s father is not capable of providing the stability and support that Junior needs as a teenager. Sometimes, even for an entire week, Junior's father goes away drinking and spending his money. Therefore, Junior cannot enjoy his teenage years and must instead act like an adult. Grandma Spirit is heavily relied on by Junior for this …show more content…

Grandma Spirit has always listened and advised Junior whenever given the opportunity. Unfortunately, Junior’s grandma dies from a drunk driver crashing into her. Everyone on the reservation greaves and mourns for her. Junior’s grandma is very impactful in Junior's life and is a major role model. For example, Junior illustrates a cartoon for Grandma(Alexie 55), he asks her for advice(Alexie 54), and he believes she is top four in her list of who brings her the most joy(Alexie 140). Junior’s Grandma can bring stability and peace because she is sober, unlike the people on the Reservation. Not only is she impactful in Junior’s life, but also everyone on the Reservation. They all cherished Grandma Spirit and respected her gracefully. Nearly all of the Reservation went to her funeral to pay respect(Alexie 128). Grandma Spirit death expresses that alcohol can take your loved ones away from you. It brings Junior sorrow, emotional growth, and for him to become more appreciative of his life and loved

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