Themes In 'The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian'

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The protagonist from the book “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie had boundaries, just like you and I. In my opinion, transcending boundaries is one of the most important themes throughout this story. The rez, stereotypes, and poverty all created boundaries for him. They tried holding him back and keep him stuck there. Arnold Spirit Jr. Wanted to surpass them. He wanted to be the Indian boy who broke free of all the boundaries that his surroundings set up for him. He knew he had to get out of the Spokane Indian Reservation, he knew that and is math teacher knew that. Arnold was born with hydrocephalus. He knew he was different but he didn't let anything get on the way of him wanting to get somewhere in life. He didn't let his dreams be dreams. He worked hard to make his dreams reality despite of all the things that tried to hold him back. The Spokane Indian Reservation presented our protagonist with …show more content…

He knew he didn't want to be stuck in the rez for the rest if his life. He went to Rearden knowing there was going to be many things that got in the way. Arnold family lived in poverty. There was days when his dad couldn't take him to school because they had no gas money. That didn't stop him. He’d walk to school and occasionally someone would give him a life to school. This was something his peers at Rearden weren't used to. They never had to walk to school because they didn't have gas money but that didn't stop Arnold. His family being in poverty made him an outcast at his new school. Whenever he’d go out with his white friends he couldn't do many things like his friends could because he didn't have the money to do so. Rearden being a school for wealthy whites didn't stop the poor Indian boy. His white friends were very understanding of the fact that he was poor and didn't treat him like anything less after they found