HI EVERYONE!
We hope you've all been celebrating this beautiful start to summer 2012! If you have any questions about the summer reading assignments or evaluations, please review the handouts we distributed at FMS (more available in the FMS office), or online at the FHS site on the dropdown menu, Summer Reading. Remember, you're each responsible for 6 thoughtful paragraph-length posts (8-10 sentences) to be completed by July 30, 2012. Further questions? Please contact Mrs. Nelson (snelson@fairview.iu5.org), or Mrs. Hurt (phurt@fairview.iu5.org). We're anxious to share your insights and enthusiasm about our readings...can't wait to see and hear your responses!
Post 1 Thematic Focus
PONDER AS YOU READ…THEN RETURN TO RESPOND! Four themes form the core of our studies in Honors English 1 and Honors American Studies : Struggle for Equality, A Nation of Innovators, The Pursuit of Liberty and Justice, and Revealing Character: The American Mosaic. As you’re reading Part-Time Diary, keep these topics in mind. Consider how Arnold’s life and his experiences relate to the semester’s themes. In your post, state a chosen theme, share a brief account of the book’s episode, include page citations (22-23), and share your interpretation. Feel free to react to the event, Arnold’s conduct,& your chosen theme.
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed the 4th & the return of fireworks on Erie's bayfront to celebrate our nation's birthday! Mrs. Nelson & I are looking to celebrate your reactions to TRUE DIARY...but our blog is feeling very unloved :(
Don't be afraid to be the first to respond! Think of all the choices you have...if you respond first, nobody will have "stolen" your great insights! Go for it!
We've had a few questions about posting...so, a few guidelines may help.
Remember to use your school login (year of graduation, last name, first initial) to identify yourself (16Andersonn). To comment, click on the grey rectangle indicating the number of comments below the post (1 Comment). To respond (Comment as) you can set up a google (gmail) account with this name(16Andersonn)to identify yourself, or through another email, still using the same identification pattern as your ID.
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Believe me, it's not hard! It's actually a lot of fun to see what everyone has to say...a simple and enjoyable way to enjoy our reading AND our summer!
Again, we really ARE looking forward to hearing from you all...way before the end of this month!
Mrs. Hurt
“Rodger and his friends were laughing like crazy. I hated them. And I knew I had to do something big. .... So I punched him in the face.” (65). Previous to this event in the story, the author had been called names and harassed by some kids due to his ethnicity. Through the action of punching Rodger, the main bully, the author was trying to gain equality or “get even” with the bullies. Therefore, this is a wonderful example of a “struggle for equality”.
ReplyDeleteEarly in his life the author had been taught that physically fighting someone was the only way to resolve a conflict. Thus punching the kid was his first instinct. The author was trying to gain equality by the only means he thought was possible. After the punch, he discovered that his culture was very different compared to Rodger’s because Rodger did not want to fight. While reading the book I was not able to predict how Rodger would react. Also, I found it very interesting how Rodger respected the author for standing up for himself after this event. Another interesting event that occurs is that later in the book, the author and Rodger become friends. So one way or another, the author resolved one of his “struggles for equality” in the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
During the basketball game where Arnold faced Rowdy as a starter, the Coach repeatedly told Arnold, “You can do it.” He make Arnold say that he can do it. They repeated telling each other that Arnold can succeed in this game and whatever he believes in (188-189). This is a perfect example of the theme Revealing Character. Arnold has always been a kid who avoided getting in fights because he got beat every time. Now, his true character is being revealed as he opens himself up to confidence and admiration. He is gaining popularity and friendship everywhere he goes at Reardan. This positive influence allows Arnold to show who he truly is without backing down from everyone. Arnolds newfound courage and confidence allowed him to block Rowdie’s dunk during their game (191-192). He was even awestruck with himself that he could do so well if he believed he could. He was even able to take the ball out of Rowdy’s outstretched hands, fake out Rowdy, and score. This event is truly an example of Arnold’s Revealing of Character.
ReplyDeleteWhen Arnold says, “I want to go to Reardan,” (45) he was pursuing liberty and justice. By going to Reardan, Arnold was giving himself the best chance to get away from the reservation. He was giving himself the chance to make something of himself. Arnold had the liberty to become what he wanted, and he was pursuing that right. An example of the pursuit of justice is when Arnold punched Rodger. What Rodger and his friends were doing was wrong, so Arnold punched him. He was pursuing justice, and making sure that people didn’t walk all over him. Another example of the pursuit of justice is when Rowdy and Arnold play basketball against each other. In the first game Arnold is injured and taken off the field. He says, “I wanted to win,”(148). The next game against Rowdy, Arnold wins. He worked hard and became a good enough player so that he could beat Rowdy. Arnold pursued justice, and was better than Rowdy. These examples all show how Arnold pursued liberty and justice.
ReplyDeleteThe theme that I chose that I feel best relates to Arnold’s life is Struggle for Equality. Throughout the whole story Arnold constantly seems to talk about how Indians are the lowest of the low. When Arnold asks his parents who has the most hope (45) they answer him that white people do, and that really shows how they were looked at as a minority to the other races in America. They were put into reservations so that the Indian culture would fade away. All they did was sit and rot in their reservations while the rest of the world went about their daily lives taking in a steady income. Arnold sometimes had to go without meals, and the only thing that could take food off of his mind in these times was sleeping (8). In my opinion the Indians in this book were treated pretty much the same as African Americans used to be treated when they had unequal rights. They had separate bathrooms than the white people and they also were not given any job opportunities, so they starved just like Arnold and his family did in the book.
ReplyDeleteThe theme I have chosen to apply to the book is Struggle For Equality. I chose this due to the fact that this is basically what the book is about to a certain degree. An example from the book to support this is when Junior punches Roger (64-65). Roger makes fun of Junior for being an outcast, castaway, and an outsider. Junior has to do what he was taught on the reservation, and that is to fight back. Once he has hit Roger the kids respect him, therefore no longer making him the outcast of the group and excepting him to become one of them. Fighting for equality is a common theme for society among certain groups of minorities that were not excepted at one time. Slaves did it along with women for the rights they deserved but did not have. The example of Native Americans and others off the reservation is just an example that is not discussed as often. In a way, Junior's struggle for equality can be related to the other great struggles for equality our nation has faced.
ReplyDelete“That’s the only way I can become rich and famous. Just take a look at the world. Almost all of the rich and famous brown people are artists. They’re singers and actors and writers and dancers and directors and poets.” (pg. 6). A majority of the people who are discriminated against in America give up hope and live monotonous lives in poverty, but there are select people who dare to dream and escape the path that seems to be set in front of them. Innovators like this usually become artists, but in the case of Arthur, he just had to dare to leave the reservation for a higher education.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people on the reservation have the ability to be successful innovators, but none of them have the motivation. “But we reservation Indians don’t get to realize our dreams. We don’t get those chances. Or choices. We’re just poor. That’s all we are.” (pg. 13). Indians on the reservation learn to live without hope, but once Arthur left the reservation, he inspired other people such as his sister, Mary. She married and moved to Montana to escape the despairing poverty of her life. This action surprised me because previous to this plot twist, the author did not tell us much about her. It turns out that she was actually a strong spirited woman who wanted to find something new to do with her life. I personally consider this an example of innovation in her life. This book shows multiple examples of American innovators who jump outside their comfort zone in search of a better life.
I choose the theme, Struggle for Equality. At the beginning of the book, Arnold told you that he has hydrocephalus, or 'water on the brain' (1). He gets beaten up and persecuted because of this. Also, people call him a retard daily (4). My interpretation of this is that even though he has a disorder, he is still a person who needs to be treated right. Another episode in the book is when Arnold is talking about being poor (13). I feel that he doesn't deserve to be poor. It doesn't mean you are going to be poor and that you can't go for your dream, just because you're Indian. This is why I chose the theme, Struggle for Equality, and how I interpreted the book's episode.
ReplyDeleteThe theme “Struggle for Equality” fits “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” Arnold felt that he wasn’t equal to the whites because they received a better education than the reservation kids. He, attempting to become equal, transfers to the closest white school, Reardan. What’s interesting is that by leaving the reservation and attempting to become equal, he actually makes himself unequal to the people at the reservation. In their eyes, he made himself superior. Arnold’s best friend, Rowdy, used to think that they were equal as friends, but when Arnold transfers, Rowdy hates him for trying to be superior. At the beginning of Arnold’s transfer, he was even unequal to the white kids and teachers. Arnold writes how the kids called him names for the first few days at Reardan (63). The teachers didn’t respect him as a student. Mr. Dodge doubts his knowledge of science just because Arnold came from the reservation (85). Even later, when he was proven to be correct, Mr. Dodge doesn’t thank Arnold (86). Eventually, though, the kids at Reardan accepted him and Arnold became equal to them. Still, in his attempt to be equal, Arnold becomes unequal to his fellow Indians at the reservation. He was unable to be equal to both groups. After reading the book, I wonder, is it possible for someone in this situation to be equal to both sides at the same time?
ReplyDeleteThe theme that I feel relates to Arnold and his experiences, but was pretty hidden and hard to pick up on at first, was Revealing Character. I understand that this topic has many different meanings, those including someone hiding a characteristic about them or doing something secretive and not telling someone about it, but when I first saw those words, I immediately began to think of an event that happens on page 127, and then realized how the theme is spread more throughout the book. That theme that I thought of was Arnold revealing who he really is to his new friends. Penelope and Arnold have a conversation after she is told that Roger gave Arnold money at a pancake store, and it goes: “Arnold?” “Yeah?” “Can I ask you something big?” (127) when I read those words, I knew she was going to ask about him being poor, I was right, but his answer to that question shocked me. “Yes, I’m poor.” With those three words, he had just revealed himself to practically everyone at Reardan who he really was. This was not the only time in the book that theme was there. Other examples include when Arnold reveals to his father that he is a “yucker”, when Rowdy shows his true self at Arnold’s sister’s funeral by crying, when Penelope reveals to Arnold that she is bulimic, and when Billionaire Ted makes himself sound like a complete fool at Arnold’s Grandmother’s funeral. Now, I know this isn’t just Arnold revealing himself, but as I said, the theme very well captures what many characters do in this book, and that is they reveal themselves to others. As Friedrich Nietzsche says“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” In my opinion, this quote captures how if you don’t own up to who you are, you will be less likely to struggle. This is what theme I feel relates to Arnold and his experiences.
ReplyDeleteArnold’s life basically revolved around what he thought was typical Indian behavior. Mr. P finally explained to Arnold that the teachers were supposed to “kill the Indian to save the child,” and went on to explain, “The only thing you kids are being taught is how to give up” (35, 42). With this revelation from his teacher, he realized that he had hope and needed to leave the reservation; he decided to transfer to Reardan. This act supports the theme “A Nation of Innovators”. An innovator is someone who introduces something new or makes changes in anything established (dictionary.com). For an Indian to go to a school full of white students was surreal. On top of that, “The kids in Reardan are the smartest and the most athletic kids anywhere. They are the best” (46). Arnold was introducing something new to everyone on his Spokane Indian reservation and in the town of Reardan. These established places experienced alterations that permanently changed them. Arnold became the local innovator - the introducer of the new, different, and unexpected.
ReplyDeleteThe theme, struggle for equality, is definitely a perfect fit for this book. Throughout the story, Arnold has to deal with the fact that he's different than many of the other indians on the reservation, and much different than a lot of the students at his new school, Reardan. Since Arnold is so different, he has to struggle to be treated equal. An example of his struggles would be on page 21. On that page, the Andruss brothers bully Arnold by calling him mean names that had to do with his brain disorder. Rowdy, Arnold's best friend, later on plotted to get revenge on the brothers by shaving their eyebrows and cutting off their braids.(22) Basically, Arnold relies on Rowdy to help him with his struggles. Another example Arnold struggles to be equal is when he actually attends a school outside of the reservation. (60) His first day, he realizes he was the only Indian in the whole school, and that he was different. The students thought that 'Junior' was a unusual and funny name. Arnold eventually makes a move and struggles to be equal when Roger and his friends said something racist about him. (64) He punches Roger in the face which makes Roger realizes that Arnold was serious. (65) Those are just a couple examples of when he struggles to be equal, but there are also a lot more examples throughout the diary.
ReplyDeleteThe theme that best relates to Arnolds life and experiences is revealing character. During the story, Arnold is faced with many challenges that force him to reveal his character. One example of when he does is when he goes back to his reservation to play a basketball game against his old school and home. When he enters the gymnasium, the fans are chanting, “Ar-nold sucks! Ar-nold sucks! Ar-nold sucks! ”. (143) His coach then asks him if he is alright and he says no. He then says he doesn’t have to play, but Arnold says “Yes, I do”. (143) Arnold is playing even though he is being discriminated by the fans. His true character was revealed. Even though the fans hate Arnold for leaving the reservation to go to Reardan, Arnold is brave enough to face the hatred from them and still play the game. Another example of Arnold revealing his character is when Penelope asks Arnold if he is poor. Arnold was brave enough to tell the truth even if he was made fun of. He revealed his character by saying “Yes, I’m poor” and showing that he didn’t really care what people thought of him. (127) Revealing character is the theme that best describes Arnold life and experiences.
ReplyDeleteA theme that best suits this book is “Struggle for Equality”. Ever since Arnold was born he has been fighting the war of fitting in with all the other Indians. This is a major issue for him, because he was born with too much cerebral spinal fluid. This made him have many differences from the normal Indians like he had seizures, big feet, extra teeth, and extreme skinniness. With kids always making fun of and calling him retarded, Arnold is constantly fighting to be treated normal. After Rodger makes a rude and racist remark, Arnold punches Rodger because that’s what he was taught to do from the reservation. Arnold thought this was okay to do, because he was raised punching others. Since Reardan kids don’t punch, Arnold became well respected. (65) After punching Rodger in the face, everyone was staring at Arnold. While this was happening he said, “I was a freaky alien and there was absolutely no way to get home.” (66) All he wanted at that point was to be normal, and to fit in.
ReplyDeleteThe theme I have chosen to interpret is "The Pursuit of Liberty and Justice." There are many ways in which events in Arnold's life are relatable to this concept. Throughout the entire book, Arnold travels on a journey, or a "pursuit," of something more than he is getting initially from life. Begining with his decision: "I want to go to Reardan," (45) to "Anyway, I signed up for basketball" (136) Arnold pursues a greater substance to his life -his personal pursuit of liberty and justice. Originally, Arnold lives on a reservation where he is considered a retard, recieving a minimal education, and being brought up in a hostile community. Rather than settling for the expectations set upon him by his circumstances, he takes the initiative to pursue what he believes he deserves. In Arnold's case, "liberty and justice" means a quality education, a supportive social environment, and the general oppurtunity to change and direct his life. Additionally, the theme can apply to the book as a whole through the concpet of raciscm. In Arnold's situation, he is the only Indian in his racist new school. During his time at Reardan, he fights to be respected and accepted by his peers, also relating to the theme "Struggle for Equality." In general, the theme "Pursuit of Liberty and Justice" applies not only to Arnold's character development and role in the plot, but also to themes of the book as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI think the theme "Struggle for Equality" really fits into this book. An example is when Arnold is new at Reardon and is picked on immediately. Right when people at the school first see him, they all stare at him (pg.56), and then some boys start calling him names such as "Chief" or "Squaw Boy" (pg.64). Eventually, when one of the boys named Roger takes the taunting to far, Arnold ends up punching him in the face (pg. 65). Arnold was picked on because of his race so badly, that he resorted to violence, and that's why I find that to be a perfect example of a struggle for equality. Though, I don't beleive that violence is the answer in most cases, I think that Arnold did what he had to do. If he hadn't puched Roger, I don't think the bullying would have ever stopped. After he punched him, I think Roger and his friends grew to respect Arnold. Over all, I think that a "Struggle for Equality" is a theme that plays a huge part in this book.
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ReplyDeleteThroughout this book it continually shows the theme of “Revealing Character”. The novel really shows this theme when Junior plays against his old school in basketball for the first time. He does this even though he knows that he is going to be ridiculed and taunted the whole time that he is in that gym. He even vomited four times that day and still played in the game (page 142-143). Before the game even started someone threw a quarter at Junior causing him to get stitches. He still played in the game until eventually leaving early due to concussion (page 146). I believe that all of these circumstances define the theme of “Revealing Character”. This theme is shown again when he plays against his old school again even after getting injured the last team. He ends up starting this game and leading his team to victory (page 194).
ReplyDeleteThe theme I chose for the semester is “Struggle for Equality”. In the Part-Time Diary Arnold’s life and experiences relate to this all the time. When Arnold transfers to Reardan, he constantly has to try to fit in and make friends. He is the only Indian in an all-white school. Throughout his whole life he has been trying to be considered equal. Arnold was born with a lot of birth defects and problems, and he still tries to be like everyone else. In the book it shows a picture of a White person compared to an Indian like Arnold. The White person has the latest new shoes and clothes. The Indian like Arnold has cheap and older clothes. The White person has a bright future and the Indian like Arnold has a vanishing past with a family history of Diabetes and cancer (57). It shows that Indians like Arnold are struggling to be equal in everything compared to White people.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Arnold may sometimes just seem like an ordinary American teenager, he is also someone who can be viewed as an inspiring innovator. He fits the word in almost every aspect of the definition. After consulting Dictionary.com, I found that an innovator is someone who “introduce(s) something new, (and) make(s) changes in anything established.” After studying this definition, I realized that “innovative” is the best adjective to describe Arnold. Throughout the book, he strove to take the path less traveled. This admirable quality is highlighted by the biggest decision of Arnold’s young life; his choice to transfer to Reardan High School in search of a better future. He considered himself the first Indian to ever leave the reservation. If that isn’t “introducing something new” than I don’t know what is. He was a true pioneer of his people. Before Arnold, the general view of the Spokane Indian community was very simple; if you’re born in the reservation, you stay in the reservation. At the tender age of fourteen, Junior challenged that view. He pushed for change. For doing what no one else could, I consider him not just an innovator, but a hero. Junior knew from the beginning the difficulty of his task. Early in the novel, he said “I was carrying the burden of my race” (pg. 43). Despite this worry, he pushed through his self-doubt to become incredibly successful in all of his pursuits in Reardan. Because of Junior’s innovative qualities in a time of struggle, “A Nation of Innovators” is the best theme for this novel.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major themes included in this novel and a major theme in the core of our studies this year is "a nation of innovators." Junior is a huge innovator mainly because he changed his fate in pursuit of his dreams. He was destined to be another poor alcoholic indian on the rez, but he couldn't live with that so he decided to transfer to Reardan. He innovated with the stuff he had available to him and put himself on the road to a succesful live although he must fight for equality. He was the kid who was always different and wanted to still be respected. He was the lowest on the totem pole and he wanted that to change. Junior is one of the many souls that make up "A nation of innovators."
ReplyDeleteThe topic I choose to compare to Arnold’s revelations in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was “Struggle for Equality”. I believe that this topic relates to the book extremely well because of the racism and bullying in the book. Arnold is usually the subject of many racist and discriminating jokes. On the reservation, he was viewed as a traitor. His people were mad because he left them to go to a white school, whereas the whites viewed him as a loser because of his skin tone and heritage (as shown on page 64). This is ironic because the only reason Arnold decided to go to Reardan was to have a fair shot at life, thus creating his struggle for equality. I was glad to find that at the end of the book, he is finally viewed as an equal, making his struggle worthwhile. In conclusion, I believe that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is most comparable to the topic, “Struggle for Equality”.
ReplyDeleteJunior has a need for a better education, and an improved life experience that will differ from his fellow Indians. This is a perfect example of a struggle for equality. An example of this is the book is when Junior decides he needs to leave the reservation (44-47). Junior realizes that he needs to get far away from the reservation, and he goes to the only place that he knows of where hope seems to be (Reardan). Junior shows bravery in leaving the only home he has ever known (the reservation). It is also brave because he knows that many of the people on the reservation will see his leaving as a betrayal and ostricize him. After he gets to Reardan things are not much better because the people there ignore and mock him. Although Junior finds acceptance in the end, it takes courage to be the first Indian to leave the reservation. His journey is not unlike many minority groups today struggling for acceptance and equality. Junior is a symbol for everyone who is trying to get ahead today.
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