English Notes
September 10, 2013
Summer Reading Packet
The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
What is his attitude toward himself?
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He feels like a traitor (betrayed his tribe)
He feels alone (during the racist joke—Arnold punches Roger in the nose and makes
him bleed)
Arnold’s reaction to the joke shows that he is confident in himself and who he is.
He felt like a nerd, was one of the smartest kids in the school
What does this suggest about America and the American Dream?
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If you can muster enough hope to move forward, you can have the American
Dream.
Leaving the reservation motivates other people (his sister)
The reservation was like a prison and isolating. It was important for Arnold to
leave to achieve his dreams.
Discussion Questions (back of page)
1.
2.
What do you think about the title?
 The truth is questioned (“absolutely true”?)—parts can be true/false
 Revisions of the truth or revisions of what actually happened
What does the author mean by the following quotation? “Life is a constant
struggle between being an individual and being a member of a community.”
 Being a leader not a follower
 Sometimes you have to be a follower to be a member of the community
(you can’t always be a leader)
 Junior will always be a part of the reservation but becomes an outcast
Analyze Character Worksheet
Quote
“I am zero on the rez. And if you
subtract zero from zero, you still
have zero” (16).
“Reardan was the opposite of the rez.
It was the opposite of my family. It
was the opposite of me. I didn’t
deserve to be there. I knew it; all of
those kids knew it” (56).
“I was half Indian in one place and
half white in the other. It was like
being Indian was my job, but it was
only a part-time job” (118).
“I wanted to live up to expectations.
I guess that’s what it comes down to.
The power of expectations. And as
they expected more of me, I expected
more of myself” (180).
“I realized that I might be a lonely
Indian boy, but I was not alone in my
loneliness. There were millions of
other Americans who had left their
birthplaces in search of a dream”
(217).
4.
What it tells about Arnold?
He feels like he is nothing and that he
will never amount to anything
He didn’t feel accepted. He is trying
to change who he is (betraying
himself). He feels not worthy enough
to be at the school.
He felt like he was betraying himself
and his identity. He “acts” more
white (doesn’t dwell in the past), yet
is Indian. He doesn’t belong to either
group. A part-time job isn’t a huge
commitment. Being Indian is a parttime focus.
He is building confidence to rise to
the expectation of others.
He realizes he is part of a
community.
Analyze Character Look at the drawing of “My Final Freshman Year Report Card” on
page 214. What does it reflect about Arnold’s character at the end of the book? How is it
different from his character in the “White/Indian” drawing on page 57?
Junior’s report card and comments are positive. He has gained confidence throughout the
book.
Turn and Talk
1. Text to Self
Do you think that people label you with a stereotype? What is unfair about the
stereotype?
Class responses…yes, but it is unfair because they don’t know you
2. Text to World
Is this book just about Indians or Native Americans…or do you think it’s about other
people in American society?
It is about everyone. Even students in Madison may feel the expectation to move away,
go on to college, etc.
3. Text to Text
What other books have you read in which a young protagonist had to struggle with living
in two worlds—one at home and one at school or the wider world?
Romeo and Juliet
Paper Towns