Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian Summary Essay Example
Chapter one: The first chapter of the book introduces Arnold Spirit, also known as Junior. He describes himself as having a lanky build and unusually large skull, feet, and hands. Additionally, he discloses that he has Hydrocephalus, a medical condition characterized by swelling of the brain caused by an excessive amount of fluid inside the skull.
Despite undergoing a high-risk surgery at just 6 months old, Junior miraculously emerged unharmed, which is typically fatal or results in permanent brain damage. However, this surgery has caused him to now experience frequent seizures and develop both a lisp and stutter. Additionally, Junior had to endure the extraction of all 42 teeth but could only afford inexpensive glasses with oversized black frames for his vision due to financial constraints.
Living on the reservation exposes Junior to con
...stant physical abuse from his peers who view him as the weakest and smallest among them. As a result, he frequently gets black eyes and is part of an unfortunate group known as the "Black-Eye-of-the-Month-Club." Despite these hardships, however, Junior finds solace in his talent for drawing and considers it the one area where he excels.
Chapter two of the book reveals that Junior, a young boy living on the Spokane Indian Reservation, admits to being poor. In his own words, he describes himself as a "poor-ass reservation kid" living with his "poor-ass family". To emphasize the significance of poverty, he presents a math equation: Poverty = empty refrigerator + empty stomach. Junior shares his experience of going without food for an extended period and how delicious a piece of KFC chicken tasted after such deprivation. Despite his desire to blame his parents for their
financial struggles, he cannot bring himself to do so because he loves them deeply and understands that they, like their ancestors, were also born into poverty.
He discusses how his parents had aspirations but opted not to pursue them, painting a portrait of the individuals they could have become had they followed their dreams. He shares how living in poverty can breed a sense of hopelessness. Additionally, Junior recounts a distressing memory involving his beloved dog Oscar being shot by his father, leaving him unable to intervene. In the third chapter, we are introduced to Rowdy, Junior's close human friend who possesses a tough, aggressive nature and defends him against any threats.
Rowdy persuades Junior to attend the Spokane tribe's annual Labor Day celebration, known as the Powwow. During the event, Junior unintentionally angers Rowdy, resulting in Rowdy pushing him. In response, Junior flees and encounters three men who are approximately 30 years old. These men proceed to assault him physically. Finding Junior lying on the ground, Rowdy pledges to seek vengeance. Later that night, when the men have become unconscious, Rowdy fulfills his promise by shaving off their eyebrows and cutting off their braids, which hold significant cultural value for indigenous males.
Junior provides more information about Rowdy, stating that they have spent over 48,000 hours together. In chapters 9-11, Junior expresses concern about Roger seeking revenge after Junior punches him. He wishes Rowdy was still his friend and seeks advice from his grandmother. Although she believes that Roger's actions show respect, Junior thinks she is delusional. The following day, Junior's parents lack enough gas to drive him to school, prompting him to embark on a 22-mile
journey on foot. Along the way, Junior encounters Eugene, his father's closest companion.
Eugene, a happy alcoholic, gives Junior a ride to school on his motorcycle. Upon arriving, the white kids at school stare at Junior and Eugene, but Roger walks past without causing trouble, expressing admiration and promising to see Junior again. Junior is ecstatic about this and greets Penelope, whom he considers a beautiful person, but she rejects him. Junior reflects that while he may have gained the approval of some people, the important ones like Penelope still do not accept him. In chapter ten, Junior recounts his love story with Dawn, an enchanting Indian girl known for her braids, that began when he was twelve years old.
Junior bravely expressed his love for Dawn to Rowdy, despite knowing that he had no chance with her. Sadly, Rowdy informed Junior that Dawn does not reciprocate his feelings whatsoever. Despite this, Junior's love for her remains unwavering. Overwhelmed by emotion, he sheds tears for her and admits that he feels the complete opposite of a warrior due to his intense emotions.
Junior privately confides in Rowdy, urging him to keep their plan a secret. With Halloween approaching in chapter 11, Junior decides to wear a costume depicting a homeless man, utilizing what he already owns. Inspired by the political significance of her costume, Penelope dresses as a homeless woman and commits to collecting spare change for donation to the homeless community. Junior joins with his own motive of shedding light on the mistreatment of Native Indians, planning to also gather spare change during trick-or-treating. To his surprise, Penelope agrees on the spot. Later that evening, while engaging
in their charitable endeavor, Junior falls victim to three individuals donning Frankenstein masks. They violently assault him, stealing the funds designated for their noble cause.
Junior speculates whether one of the guys he saw was Rowdy. The following day, Junior recounts the incident to Penelope, who reacts with shock and reassures him that she will still include his name in her donation. Junior naively hopes that this incident will bring him closer to Penelope, but realizes that popularity does not come easily. He wishes he could ask Rowdy for advice on how to make Penelope like him, but he already knows that Rowdy would advise him to change his appearance, speech, and behavior.
And then she will believe that you are her amazing Prince Charming.
