Essay Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Reaching your goal
Comparing this book to the movie “Turbo”, Theo “Turbo” [the
“racing snail”] believed in something. He believed and dreamed he will
one day race. With that came the desire to one day race against the top
racer Gagne [Turbo’s inspiration and the top racer at that time]. He
hoped for one day being able to do more with his life than just working in the
garden and segregating tomatoes for the colony to eat. Something happened
where his hopes and dreams one day became a reality. It was a type of
reality which no one else believed in. They believed Turbo’s potential
was limited to their own ability of understanding, with biased ideas of how
Turbo should be. How easy can it be when your dreams, hopes, and
ambitions goes against your family or even communities’ idea of what they think
you should do. Thinking with an open mind is exactly what's needed in
order to open the simplistic minds of those around you. Unfortunately,
sometimes it takes your success in order for other to except what you’re trying
to accomplish. It may even be your parent(s) family members, or close
friend(s). Having a “feeling of desire and expectation towards a certain
thing” is exactly what gives us a motivational drive needed to
make changes in our lives, while we’re setting aside and pushing past our daily
routines, which may not always be accepted in everyone’s eyes, but will be what
we need to reach our desired goal(s), believing it will positively change both
our lives and those affected by us; Junior experienced this same burning desire
called “hope”.
The "monster pine tree" represented several
things, one of which showed the true strength and backbone [which was lost and
forgotten] of the families of Wellpinit behind the torments, abuses, and
sorrows. A tribe at one point in time thrived on the land and enjoyed its
beauty, while each family was bonded together by the community. As the tree in
itself represented the community and the branches represented each family. The
base area of the branches represented the ancestors of past and the peak of the
tree of the smaller branches represented the newer generation coming up.
It also represented their strength and spirit which was still alive, but
had been suppressed and remained dormant. It was alive in grandma spirit and
was building up and growing inside Junior. That spirit of the will and desire,
the spirit of nomadicity, it was the spirit of hope.
The base [near the foundation] of the tree had sturdy branches,
[the beginning stages of its growing process], enabling it to withstand
tremendous weight and pressure. The climb Junior did with Rowdy showed the
several stages he had to go through to reach his current point in life.
As Junior encountered several obstacles including physically, in having
to deal with continuous brain damage from water on the brain and frequent
seizures. He was mentally abuse from teachers and peers by being teased
and talked down upon, even physical
abuse by his peers causing Junior to cry then beating him for crying, and by
not fully accepting him for who he is. With everything that has happened to
Junior over the years through the beginning of his teenage years, he continued to
hold on to the burning desire of his hope and belief that there was something
better. He continued to show just how strong he truly was. By not
accepting what was going on, but having the hope if he continues to not give
up, there will be something better in the end. This could be why he started his
climb to the top.
The middle part of the tree
although is thinner and not as strong as the base, still its branches are
strong and can withstand a lot of weight without bending or cracking.
This area represents when Junior had decided to follow his desire and put
it into action by going to Reardan. Junior was at a point in his life
where he wasn’t sure how to “multiply” his hope [page 43], but he knew he
needed more. After realizing his math textbook was over thirty years old, with
his mother’s name inside[30], he knew there had to be more than the daily
routine he was accustomed to. His teacher Mr. P gave him what he needed to feed
his hope and give him the motivation he’d longed for. Junior soon after told his
parents he wanted to attend school outside the rez, they agreed [45]. It
was just what he needed to put his burning desire of hope into overdrive.
Of course with any choice in life there will always be consequences. From
this decision he faced several oppositions from his tribe at Wellpinit, his new
classmates at Reardan, and his internal conflictions trying to weigh each
option. In the beginning of the new school he had to show just how strong
his spirit [willingness] to push towards his desires of achievement was.
Not just for himself, but his peers also. At a mid-point in his
life he often times wanted to give up [going back down the tree], but he kept
pushing ‘climbing and climbing’. Every day that he hitchhiked, walked, or got a
ride to; he was taking another step [he was grabbing another limb
pulling his self higher towards the top of the tree]. The more he pushed
himself and the closer he got to the top; the more his hope grew.
“Ten feet from the top”, Rowdy and Junior were holding on for dear
life from the harsh winds, while simultaneously being able to see the majestic scenery
of their village. To see the beauty that’s been in front of them, but
forgotten over time. This represented a time when Junior was faced with an
opportunity to forget everything and go back to the rez to live out his life in
sorrow with the rest of the community. After experiencing three major deaths,
his dad’s best friend, his grandma, finally his sister, he could have lost all
hope. He continuously battled in his mind what’s worth more, giving up or
pushing forward. He realized those whom he lost also were inspired by his
actions by going against everyone’s ideas of how he should be; which also
fueled his hope. They were Eugene, Juniors dad’s best friend, telling
Junior “pretty cool for doing this… I couldn’t do it” (71), his sister
getting married and moving to another rez [inspired by Junior going to
Reardan], and his grandma who always keep Junior with a nomadic and tolerant outlook on his
situations [his biggest inspiration of hope to not give up]. Junior made huge
steps driven by his burning desires for something better, for himself, his
family, and his community. Junior held on to his hope so strong, it kept him
motivated to get through the first year at Reardan. Junior held on to his hope
as his life and the life of his people depended on it.
In conclusion, the ten feet shows Junior has not yet reached
(completed) his goal; he still has a ways to go before he gets there. He will
make it if he doesn’t allow negativity to quench his burning desire, by
surrounding himself with hope, and keep in his heart that hope will return to his
people. Again comparing to the movie, Turbo did not give up in given the
opportunity to race against Gagne. What normally would seem impossible,
his hope was so strong although neither his brother Jed nor his community
believed in him. As a result they teased him and thought he was crazy.
Turbo later proved even though he’s a tiny snail, his spirit was strong and his
hope was stronger. It didn’t matter what anyone thought of him and he was
out to prove everyone wrong. Junior received a lot of negative feedback
especially from his long time best friend Rowdy. In the end Rowdy realized
Junior’s hope “I always knew you were going to leave us behind and travel the
world” [229] was the positive impact needed for the community. His eyes began to open while embracing Junior’s hope, for the prosperity of
Junior and their community.
REPOSITORY
24Feb2014
Essay Assignment for
Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
Write an essay….
1250-1500
Original title
Proper citations
By Wednesday 2/26 bring
a theory and what part of the novel you want to analyze
Include analysis of the
some of the “deeper moments” in the book, for example Turtle Lake and he and
Rowdy climbing the tree.
“Reaching your goal”
In
the movie “Turbo”, Theo “Turbo” [the “racing snail”] believed in something.
He believed and dreamed he will one day race. With that came the
desire to one day race against the top racer Gagne [Turbo’s inspiration].
He hoped for one day being able to do more with his life than just
working in the garden and segregating tomatoes for the colony to eat.
Something happened where one day his hopes and dreams suddenly became a
reality. It was a type of reality which no else believed in, because they
believed Turbo’s potential was limited to their own ability of understanding,
while keeping their ideas of how Turbo should be in a “closed box mentality”.
Do you think it’s easy when your dreams, hopes, and ambitions goes
against your family or even communities’ idea of what they think you should do.
Thinking outside the box is exactly what needs to be done in order to
open the simplistic minds of those around you. Unfortunately, it will sometimes
take your success in order for other to except what you’re trying to
accomplish, it may even be your parent(s) siblings, cousins, or close
friend(s). (THEORY) Having a “feeling of desire and expectation towards
a certain thing” [Google search] is exactly what gives us a motivational drive
needed to make changes in our lives, while we’re setting aside and pushing past
our daily routines, which may not always be accepted in everyone’s eyes, but will
be what we need to reach our desired goal(s), believing it will positively
change both our lives and those affected by us; Junior experienced this same
burning desire called “hope”.
Analyzing a “deeper moment”
******
“monster pine tree... the reservation skyscraper” (page 224)
******
“Rowdy and I climbed toward the top of the tree, to the bottom of
the sky.” (page 225)
I believe the
"monster pine tree" represented two things, one of which showed the
true strength and backbone [which was lost and forgotten] of the families of
Wellpinit behind the torments, abuses, and sorrows. It also represented their
strength that was growing inside, which showed through Junior.
The climb Junior did
with Rowdy showed the several stages had to go through to reach his current
point in life. The base [near the foundation] of the tree had strong thick
branches, [representing the beginning stages of its going process], enabling it
to withstand tremendous weight. As Junior encountered several obstacle both
physical, having to deal with continuous brain damage from water on the brain
and frequent seizures, and mental/physical abuse from peers teasing
bullying, and not fully excepting him for who he is, due to his indifference
from the rest of the tribe. He continued to hold on to the strong foundation of
his hope and believe there will be a better and brighter day.
The middle part of the
tree although is thinner and not as strong as the base, still its branches are
strong and can withstand a lot of weight without bending or cracking.
This area represents when Junior had decided to follow his desire and put
it into action by going to Reardan. From this decision he faced several
oppositions from both his tribe at Wellpinit and his new classmates. In
the beginning of the near school he had to show just how strong his spirit
[willingness] to push towards his desires of achievement were, not just to
himself, but also to his peers. At a mid-point in his life he often times
wanted to give up [going back down the tree], but he kept pushing ‘climbing and
climbing’.
“Ten feet from the top”,
Rowdy and Junior were holding on for dear life while at the same time being
able to see “the big picture” of the whole village, to see the beauty that’s
been right in front of them, but forgotten. This represented a time in Junior’s
life where he made a lot of big and little steps driven by his hope for
something better, for himself, his family, and his community. Junior held on to
his hope so strong, it kept him motivated to get through the first year at
Reardan. As the wind blew the two boys holding on for dear life, Junior held on
to his hope as his life and the life of his people depended on it. The ten feet
shows Junior has not yet reached (complete) his goal, but he still has a ways
to go before he gets there. He will make it if he doesn’t let go and hold on to
his hope, surrounding himself with hope, and keep in his heart that hope will
return to his people.
-----
--------
-----
Getting out of poverty
Not being able to afford
money for dog Oscar to see doctor
Not having is
inspiration to wanting to have
To have a chance at life
to have some more than the Rez
They have opportunities
To have more than death
and alcohol
To have more positive
surrounding
To afford to eat meals
daily
Mr. p's enlightening
conversation
To hope-
Noun’ -a feeling of
expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
Verb’- want something to
happen or be the case. *Google search*
Hoping to not have
another seizure (it's stopped but might return) (page 4)
Hope to become rich from
his cartoons (page 7)
Hope to get his sister
out of the basement (why has she secluded herself) page 84
Hope to find courage (to
leave Rez)
Hope to have a better
life
Hope to rekindle a friendship
with rowdy (from leaving Rez)
Hope to find something
better than the Rez (textbook w/mothers name)
Hope to find his life
and society (in the Rez and Reardon (his tribe and Reardon classmates))
Hope to fit in as a
normal kid (to be excepted in spite his class status but excepted for who he is
as a person)
Hope to make to school
and home each day
Hope to make a change in
his life & inspire hope on the Rez
In the end he, “hoped
and prayed that I would someday forgive myself for leaving them”. (page 209-
210)
Junior’s sister gave up
hope and stopped writing “a bright a shining star “faded year by year”” (page
37-38)
Junior’s sister regained
hope through inspiration of him going to Reardon
Mr. P build up hope for
Junior, “say your deserve better” (page 38)
Mr. P give hope by
encouraging to leave the Rez more hope with further distance (page 40-41)
Reardan is hope (page
42)
******
“monster pine tree... the reservation skyscraper” (page 224)
****** “Rowdy
and I climbed toward the top of the tree, to the bottom of the sky.” (page 225)
“Deeper Moment”
The last one-on-one
w/rowdy & whole thing about leaving res
The movie “Turbo”
Theo “Turbo” [the
“racing snail”] believed in something, he believed and dreamed he will one day
race; with that came the hope to one day race against the top racer Gagne. He
hoped for one day being able to do more with his life than just working in the
garden and segregating tomatoes for the colony to eat. Something had happened one
day his hopes and dreams suddenly came a reality. It was a reality no else
believed in, because they believed Turbo’s potential was limited to their own
ability to understand, while keeping their idea in a “closed box mentality”. Do
you think it’s easy when your dreams, hopes, and ambitions goes against your
family or even communities’ idea of what they think you should do. Thinking
outside the box is exactly what needs to be done in order to open the
simplistic minds of those around you. Unfortunately, it will sometimes take
your success in order for other to except what you’re trying to accomplish, it
may even be your parent(s) siblings, or cousins.
Arnold’s grandma was
nomadic
Rowdy told Arnold he is
nomadic like grandma
Meaning of nomadic-
always moving, always moving in search of water and food, and grazing the land
