The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Part-Time Indian, Full-Time Shmoop
- Course Length: 3 weeks
- Course Type: Short Course
- Category:
- English
- Literature
- Middle School
Schools and Districts: We offer customized programs that won't break the bank. Get a quote.
Ever felt trapped? Like you don't belong? Like you deserve more out of life? If yes—or even if you said no—you'll find something that hits home in Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. (Not to be confused with Shmoop's The Mostly True but a Little Bit False Diary of a Part-Time Karate Champion.) This book tells the classic coming-of-age-in-high-school story we've read in school time and time again...from the perspective of an epileptic Spokane Indian.
In this course, we'll go through the honest, frequently heart-wrenching—yeah, we said it: heart-wrenching—story of Arnold "Junior" Spirit. Through Junior's eyes, we'll confront poverty, addiction, racism, and loss. But don't worry. There's also a whole lot of joy. And did we forget to mention that it's hilarious? Yup. And it's stocked full of cartoons by illustrator Ellen Forney.
On the more literary side of things, we'll examine some juicy stuff such as humor in writing, point of view, authorship, and the coming-of-age story. So join Shmoop as we plunge head first into the brutal realities—and hilarities—of reservation life.
In this course, we'll
- examine realities of reservation life as seen in True Diary.
- discuss the character Arnold "Junior" Spirit.
- evaluate point of view.
- examine characteristics of coming-of-age stories.
- discuss "The Other." What is it? Who is it?
- discuss the themes of race relations and prejudice, class and poverty, tradition and culture, dreams, family, and friendship.
- evaluate the challenges and realities of group membership.
- examine True Diary in the context of other American Indian literature and film.
Ditch Pocahontas and dive into a more truthful story. Disney didn't prepare you for this.
Required Skills
Unit Breakdown
1 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
In this three-week course we'll read the entirety of True Diary, and break it down by topic—like its coming-of-age story qualities, point of view, takedown of stereotyping, humor in writing, and more. Research skills will be put to the test. Visual presentations will be made. Essays will be written—specifically a five paragraph argumentative final essay, which we hear is author Sherman Alexie's most favorite kind of essay.
Sample Lesson - Introduction
Lesson 1.06: An Original Point of View
(Source)
Point of view.
You may have come across it conversation, online, or in the theme song of the beloved children's show Arthur.
(Thanks, Arthur. You raised Shmoop right.)
Maybe you've even heard Oscar Wilde's saying "The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole." Even if you haven't heard it, you know it. It's that glass half-full or half-empty thing.
Point of view means someone's perspective, their way of seeing things. As you can imagine someone's perspective is crucial to the way we understand literature…and life in general.
Let's talk True Diary.
To figure out whose point of view, or POV, were getting in True Diary we should start by asking a difficult question (not): Who is the main character or narrator of the story?
Junior is the main character. We hear his internal narration, so we're definitely experiencing the story from his way of seeing the events of his own life. After all, the book is his absolutely true diary.
We've introduced the topic so grab a donut or glass of water, whatever suits your fancy, and proceed to the reading.
Sample Lesson - Reading
Reading 1.1.06: Emails, Thanksgiving, Hunger, Advice, and Dance
Grab your books, and read chapters 13 – 16, pg 99 – 129, a.k.a.
- "My Sister Sends Me an Email"
- "Thanksgiving"
- "Hunger Pains"
- "Rowdy Gives Me Some Advice About Love"
- "Dance, Dance, Dance"
Should you need them, we have all the Shmoop summaries for you, here.
Sample Lesson - Activity
Activity 1.06a: POV Party
Recap time. As you answer the questions below, make sure you're really thinking critically about these characters and their points of view. We don't just want the what, we want the why and the how, too. In at least 25 words each.
Okay, get to it.
Comprehension Check Rubric - 10 Points
Sample Lesson - Activity
- Course Length: 3 weeks
- Course Type: Short Course
- Category:
- English
- Literature
- Middle School
Schools and Districts: We offer customized programs that won't break the bank. Get a quote.