Sherman Alexie Essay

Daniel Skewes

Ms. Grossnickle

Theme Essay

January 15, 2015

        In the book, The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part Time Indian many themes are expressed. Sherman Alexie used many different themes through out the book my developing the characters in a very effective way. Some big ideas that transitioned into themes are courage, hope, and friendship. Alexie used the big ideas and turned them into a theme that sends a message to young readers. Overall Sherman Alexie did a very good job with this book it was enjoyable and very easy to read.

        The first big idea that Sherman Alexie used to make a theme was courage. When Junior made his decision to switch schools he realized that having true courage is only found within your self. Junior new that his tribe would not except him leaving their school to go to a white school. On page 47 Junior says “shoot, I figure that my fellow tribal members are going to torture me.” Junior new many people from his tribe would not like and except his choice to switch schools, but he new it was the right thing to do. Alexie also showed that junior had courage on page 54 when Junior said, “I’m scared” “I have to do this.” Junior said that before entering his new school for the first time. That is how Sherman Alexie showed that having true courage is only found within your self.

        Everyone has a best friend that will always end up coming back to you. Sherman Alexie showed this with Junior and Rowdy through out the book which leads to the next theme of this book. People enter and exit through out your life but the important ones are permanent. When Junior told Rowdy that he was switching schools Rowdy beat him up in anger. Through out the book they had further conflicts on and off the reservation. Rowdy finally came around in the end of the book and accepted Juniors choice to leave. On page 228 Rowdy says, “I’m not nomadic, hardly anybody on this reservation is nomadic except for you. You are the only one.” This saying shows how Rowdy understands why Junior left their school and wants him to be happy. That is how Alexie showed the theme of, people enter and exit through out your life, but the important ones are permanent.