Stevens (2007) asserts that the genre of young adult literature is classified by five main criteria: the book is written about teens; it is written in a distinctly teen voice; it is characterized by the journey toward identity; it tackles adult issues in teenage lives; and, it has the same potential for literary value as grown-up novels (Talbert, 2012).
1. Can we classify Alexie’s diary within this genre?
2. What are some of the adult issues tackled in True Diary
1. Yes, we can classify Alexie's diary, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," within the young adult literature genre based on the criteria mentioned. The book is written about a teenage protagonist and is written in a distinctly teenage voice. It also deals with a journey toward identity as the main character, Junior, navigates his life as a Native American teenager attending a predominantly white school. Additionally, the book addresses adult issues in teenage lives, such as poverty, racism, alcoholism, and bullying. The novel also demonstrates literary value similar to that of adult novels.
2. Some of the adult issues tackled in "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" include poverty, alcoholism, racism, identity, sexuality, and mental health. The novel explores Junior's experiences growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to transfer to a predominantly white school, where he faces discrimination and struggles to fit in. Junior also grapples with the effects of alcoholism within his community, the challenges of living in poverty, and the impact of his sister's issues with mental health. These adult issues offer a realistic portrayal of the challenges many teenagers face in their lives.
1. To determine if Alexie's diary can be classified within the genre of young adult literature based on the criteria provided by Stevens (2007), we need to assess if the book meets each of those criteria.
- Is the book written about teens? In Alexie's diary, the protagonist, Arnold Spirit, Jr., is a teenage boy, so this criterion is met.
- Is the book written in a distinctly teen voice? As the diary is written from Arnold's perspective, it prominently features his thoughts, feelings, and experiences as a teenager, fulfilling this criterion.
- Is the book characterized by the journey toward identity? Arnold's diary details his struggle with identity as he navigates life on the reservation, his relationships with friends and family, and his experiences at his new school. Therefore, this criterion is also met.
- Does the book tackle adult issues in teenage lives? Alexie's diary addresses several adult issues that impact Arnold's life, such as poverty, racism, alcoholism, bullying, and disability. Hence, it fulfills this criterion as well.
- Does the book have the same potential for literary value as grown-up novels? This criterion requires a subjective assessment of the book's literary value as compared to adult novels. However, it is worth noting that Alexie's diary received critical acclaim, won various awards, and is highly regarded in the literary community. Therefore, it can be argued that it possesses the potential for literary value similar to adult novels.
Based on this analysis, Alexie's diary appears to meet the criteria proposed by Stevens (2007) to be classified within the genre of young adult literature.
2. In "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," Alexie tackles numerous adult issues that impact teenage lives. Some of the key adult issues addressed in the novel include:
- Poverty: Arnold, the main character, comes from a poverty-stricken reservation, and the book delves into the challenges and hardships that arise from this circumstance.
- Racism: The novel explores the racism Arnold experiences, both within his reservation community and when he attends the mostly white high school outside the reservation.
- Alcoholism: Arnold witnesses the damaging effects of alcoholism on individuals within his community, including the tragic death of his friend.
- Bullying: Arnold faces bullying and intimidation from his peers due to his decision to attend a different school outside the reservation.
- Disability: Arnold's best friend, Rowdy, has an abusive and alcoholic father, which takes a toll on Rowdy's emotional well-being throughout the story.
These are just a few examples of the adult issues that Sherman Alexie tackles in "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," highlighting the challenges and realities faced by teenagers in their everyday lives.