Presentation Type
Oral/Paper Presentation
Abstract
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie delves into the story of an adolescent boy growing up on an Indian reservation, wrestling with hard medical issues and the typical emotional turmoil associated with coming of age. Arnold, who goes by Junior, also faces complex issues such as racism, less-than-ideal family relationships, and identity. Alexie approaches Arnold’s experiences with humor and storytelling that can only be found in the genre of young adult literature. This paper finds Alexie’s notion of identity construction as an unstable, shifting process often shaped by the opinions of others. The structure of Alexie’s young narrative voice portrays the common shifts in identity that occur in the teenage years. Through images and narration, Alexie highlights the identity fragmentation that can occur in an indigenous teenager navigating white spaces. Through his narrative choices, images, and humor, Alexie affirms that indigenous identity construction is both supported and fragmented by the views of the dominant culture.
Faculty Mentor
Brandi Kellett
Recommended Citation
Magar, Josephine, "A Quest for Identity" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 65.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/65
A Quest for Identity
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie delves into the story of an adolescent boy growing up on an Indian reservation, wrestling with hard medical issues and the typical emotional turmoil associated with coming of age. Arnold, who goes by Junior, also faces complex issues such as racism, less-than-ideal family relationships, and identity. Alexie approaches Arnold’s experiences with humor and storytelling that can only be found in the genre of young adult literature. This paper finds Alexie’s notion of identity construction as an unstable, shifting process often shaped by the opinions of others. The structure of Alexie’s young narrative voice portrays the common shifts in identity that occur in the teenage years. Through images and narration, Alexie highlights the identity fragmentation that can occur in an indigenous teenager navigating white spaces. Through his narrative choices, images, and humor, Alexie affirms that indigenous identity construction is both supported and fragmented by the views of the dominant culture.