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Absolutely True Friendship

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The Meaning of True Friendship: Friendship in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Take just a second to imagine an ideal friendship. What characteristics are important to look for in a friendship? In the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (ATD) Sherman Alexie takes the reader on the journey with Arnold Spirit in finding himself and discovering how he can have a better life. In ATD, Sherman Alexie explores what friendship truly is through the friendships Arnold has with Rowdy, Penelope, and Roger.
Sherman Alexie is able to show the true meaning of friendship through Arnold’s life-long best friend, Rowdy who sticks up for Arnold with bullies and is willing to keep his secrets, even after their friendship ends. …show more content…

Once again, Roger started off as someone the reader may have not liked. The dislike for Roger in the beginning can be explained; Roger throws out some derogatory names towards Arnold. In the moment the words are said, Arnold decides to stick up for himself by punching Roger in the face (64). After the punch, there is no longer tension between the two; Roger never says anything derogatory towards Arnold again, and they never get into an actual fist fight. In fact, they begin to develop a friendship. The night of the school dance that Penelope is Arnold’s date for, Roger invites the younger couple to dinner at a Denny’s an hour away from the school. Arnold quickly realizes and is ashamed to admit, that he has no money to pay for dinner for the two of them. Because of his embarrassment, he goes along to the restaurant knowing he won’t be able to pay that way he doesn’t disappoint Penelope. After dinner, Roger is willing to allow Arnold to borrow money to pay the bill (126).This is the first time their friendship begins to grow. Quickly after, Roger takes on the older brother role in his life. He proves himself to be a friend that will always be there to help and trustworthy enough to keep Arnold’s secret about being dirt-poor. True friends are willing to keep your secrets and help you out in a time of need.
The author of ATD, Sherman Alexie,

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