Analysis Of The Absolutely True Story Of A Part-Time Indian Junior

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Most individuals face an identity crisis at some point in their lives. Sometimes in order to try to identify ourselves we look to our families, people we admire, or other groups. In the novel The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian Junior also had an identity crisis. He had to choose either having the potential for success in the American community or in poverty with little potential on his reservation. However, Junior learned through his friends and experiences that there is not a fine line between being Spokane Indian or American and he can be his own person. Junior moved to the American school at the advisement of one of his reservation teachers Mr. P. Mr. P told Junior that he has “to take your hope and go somewhere where other people have hope” (43). Junior was already different from other Spokane Indians prior to Mr. P’s statement because had not yet given up hope. Junior realized that he could be more than just a Spokane Indian so he went to the American school.…show more content…
Junior was his reservation nickname but Arnold was his real “American” name. He initially tells a girl he met at the school named Penelope that his name is Junior. However, he realizes that Junior is not a typical name in the “white” community and so when the teacher calls Arnold as his real name, he becomes Arnold in the “white” community and Junior at the reservation. As Junior explained it, “I felt like two different people inside of one body. No, I felt like a magician slicing myself in half, with Junior living on the north side of the Spokane River and Arnold living on the south”
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