Write a formal literature academic essay, based on evidence from the novel in which you offer an argument on the following topic. What does Alexi's (2007) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian have to say about the impact of historic racism and racial injustice on the present? Your essay must engage at least three events from the novel to support your point. These events might include the death of Arnold's sister Mary Spirit, the death of Grandmother Spirit, the death of Uncle Eugene, Arnold's discovery that his geometry textbook had been owned by his mother, or other events.
Title: The Lingering Shadow of Historic Racism: Examining the Impact in Alexi's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian"
Introduction:
Alexi's remarkable novel, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," encompasses the narrative of Arnold "Junior" Spirit as he navigates a challenging path through racial adversity and historic racism. Through a series of compelling events, the novel delves into how historic racism and racial injustice continue to reverberate in the present, affecting individuals and communities alike. This essay will analyze three significant events from the novel—Mary Spirit's death, Grandmother Spirit's passing, and Arnold's discovery of his mother's former ownership of his geometry textbook—to support the argument that "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" effectively underscores the enduring consequences of the deep-rooted mistreatment faced by marginalized communities.
Body:
Event 1: Mary Spirit's Death
One of the pivotal events in the novel is the devastating loss of Arnold’s sister, Mary Spirit. This tragedy, caused by systemic racism and neglect, unveils the perpetual impact of historic racism on Native American communities. Mary's passing epitomizes how prejudice continues to breed suffering and disrupt the lives of marginalized populations. Alexi portrays Mary's death as a direct consequence of the limited resources and inadequate healthcare available on the reservation, all attributable to the legacy of historic racism.
In the aftermath of Mary's death, Arnold realizes that his sister's life could have been saved if she had access to the better-equipped hospital located in a neighboring white community. This heartrending realization reflects the long-lasting disparities that stem from historic racism. It serves to emphasize the devastating grip of structural inequity that continues to haunt Native American communities, perpetuating suffering and loss.
Event 2: Grandmother Spirit's Passing
The death of Grandmother Spirit further elucidates the enduring impact of historic racism on individuals and communities. Grandmother Spirit's strong sense of identity and connection to her heritage acts as a beacon of resilience and a testament to the endurance of Native American culture despite the weight of historical oppression. Her tragic demise showcases the intergenerational trauma experienced by those who have witnessed or directly encountered racist practices.
Throughout the novel, Grandmother Spirit reminisces about the horrors of the past, recollecting forced displacement, cultural suppression, and experiences of racism. Her stories serve as a reminder that the scars of the past extend into the present, influencing the lives and identities of successive generations. By including this event, Alexi highlights the importance of acknowledging historical injustices as an essential step toward healing and breaking free from their enduring grip.
Event 3: Arnold's Geometry Textbook
Arnold's revelation that his geometry textbook once belonged to his mother presents a poignant commentary on the lasting imprint of historic racism on personal histories. Through this discovery, Arnold becomes aware that his ancestors were denied the opportunities he now possesses. The textbook symbolizes the potential and aspirations curtailed by systemic oppression in the past.
Arnold's mother, prevented from pursuing an education due to entrenched racism, inadvertently passes on her untapped academic dreams to her son through the lifeless pages of a textbook. This event highlights not only the weight of lost opportunities but also serves as a reminder that the present is constructed upon the foundation of the past. The legacy of racism and racial injustice continues to shape the life experiences and trajectories of individuals within marginalized communities.
Conclusion:
Through compelling events such as the deaths of Mary Spirit and Grandmother Spirit, and the discovery of Arnold's mother's indirect influence on his education, Alexi's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" effectively demonstrates the enduring consequences of historic racism and racial injustice. The novel emphasizes how the past shadows the present, perpetuating systemic disadvantages for marginalized communities. By shedding light on these themes, Alexi calls upon readers to acknowledge and confront the deep-rooted inequities that persist, working towards a future marked by justice, equality, and healing.
Title: The Impact of Historic Racism and Racial Injustice on the Present in Alexi's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Introduction:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, written by Sherman Alexie in 2007, delves into the experiences of Arnold Spirit Jr., a young Native American boy living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Throughout the novel, a profound exploration of the impact of historic racism and racial injustice on the present emerges. Alexi's narrative masterfully uses several key events, including the deaths of Arnold's sister Mary Spirit and Grandmother Spirit, the death of Uncle Eugene, and Arnold's discovery about his geometry textbook's previous owner, to highlight the enduring consequences of historical racism and racial injustice on the lives of indigenous people.
Body:
1. The death of Arnold's sister Mary Spirit:
The untimely death of Arnold's sister serves as a poignant example of how the legacy of historic racism perpetuates a cycle of despair and hopelessness. Mary Spirit's death is a direct consequence of the lack of access to quality healthcare on the reservation. This event underscores the intergenerational impact of systemic neglect and discrimination faced by Native Americans, leading to a sense of powerlessness and limited opportunities for advancement.
2. The death of Grandmother Spirit:
The death of Grandmother Spirit symbolizes the loss of cultural identity and cultural erasure experienced by indigenous communities due to historic racism. As a repository of tribal knowledge and traditions, Grandmother Spirit's passing represents the stripping away of ancestral wisdom and heritage. The absence of cultural continuity resulting from pervasive racism further contributes to a sense of displacement and marginalization among Native American youth like Arnold.
3. The death of Uncle Eugene:
Uncle Eugene's premature death, attributed to alcoholism, exposes the devastating impact of historical trauma and the prevalence of addictive behaviors within the community. His struggles with alcohol addiction exemplify how the legacy of oppression, dispossession, and resultant despair can lead to self-destructive coping mechanisms. This event encapsulates the detrimental impact of systemic racism on mental health, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and perpetuating self-destructive patterns within the community.
4. Arnold's discovery about his geometry textbook's previous owner:
Arnold's discovery that his geometry textbook had been previously used by his mother is a pivotal event that highlights the endurance of systemic racism and its consequences on education. The revelation prompts him to question the deeply entrenched educational disparities faced by Native American students and the limited opportunities for success within the reservation. Alexie artfully uses this incident to underscore the generational impact of unequal access to quality education, further reinforcing the cyclical nature of racial injustice.
Conclusion:
Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian vividly illustrates the profound impact of historic racism and racial injustice on the present lives of Native Americans. Through events such as the deaths of Mary Spirit, Grandmother Spirit, and Uncle Eugene, as well as Arnold's discovery about his textbook's previous owner, the novel effectively communicates the enduring consequences of systemic racism on indigenous communities. By shedding light on these events, Alexie emphasizes the urgent need for addressing historic injustices and creating a more equitable future for Native American youth.