The
novel The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, should be a challenged book because it
has unnecessary racist comments and has excessive sexual content but it also
teaches teenagers to take control of their lives.
The offensive
language used in the novel makes Junior feel unwanted and upset. Junior goes to
a white school to try and escape the poverty and violence of his school on the
reservation. However, the white boys make fun of his Indian heritage. In one of
white boys especially cruel moments they asked Junior if he wanted to hear a
joke and he replied yes. The white boy, Mark then said, “Did you know that
Indians are living proof that niggers f**k buffalo?” (Alexie 64). Later on in
the book, Junior feels so secluded from the “white world” that he makes the
comment, "I used to think the world was broken down by tribes, by black
and white. By Indian and white. But I know that isn't true. The world is only
broken into two tribes. The people who are assholes and the people who are
not" (Alexie 176). Junior is made fun of by the “white boys” when he goes
to Reardan, the white school. Junior is taken aback by the racism of that
“joke.” The fact that Mark told him that to his face and called it a “joke”
made Junior angry enough to punch Mark in the face. The joke is extremely
inappropriate and some children who read this book might think it is OK if they
repeat this “joke,” however this is not OK. It is not only not OK because of
the racism in it, but also because of the words used such as “nigger” and
“f**k.” In the second quote, the word “asshole” is used. Junior is calling
people “asshole[s]” which is not appropriate language. The idea that Junior
believes that there are different “tribes” of people, “Indian and white” also
proves the racism in the book.
I agree that this book should be challenged and discussed with the reader. From the quotes I have read above, the language in the book is not appropriate for all audiences and might need to be discussed for high school students reading it. Unless there is an important lesson in using this language, it is not needed and could be replaced with less vulgar words. But this language could also help kids understand how people can be really mean to others who do not have a certain "look" to them. This could help them realize that they do this sometimes too. So maybe next time they see bullying, whoever read this book will stick up for the person being picked on, and look at what is on the inside, not the outside.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt this book should be challenged because of its offensive language and racism. This book is a prime example of excessiveness, but also shows how some people might actually live this lifestyle. It is very depressing to think that some people actually have to worry about finding a way home and deal with alcoholic parents and guardians. I think that the author does a very good job of keeping the reader entertained even though the content can very extreme at certain parts.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the book but their does seem to be a lot of vulgar language. But, I think it comes down to whether or not the reader is mature enough to handle the language and the content. And I also think that the racism in this book can also serve as a message to the reader, provided they can pick up on it. The racism towards Junior moves him to being physically hurtful towards someone. This helps show the reader that their own words can have a lasting effect on someone, and once they realize that, it will help them think of the consequences before they say something.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I think this book maybe should have some sort of warning about the content for younger audiences.
DeleteI believe that this book should definitely be challenged. I have read this book and I thought that there were funny parts in the book and I do believe it was written as a humors book. This part may be the only teaching part in the book. There are many other parts that I believe were written just to make the readers laugh because there are topics that some may find humorous. I also would not recommend this book to my parents because of the vulgar comments and language it uses. I dont think that this book has a great message in it. I think that it can show readers how bullying is wrong, but I feel that it is taken to an extreme. I dont think when high schoolers read this they may not get that message, but rather they will think that the book is funny because of the comments and and things that are written about in it. Therefore I do agree with the author and I think this book should be challenged because there is not a solid message that is trying to be brought across to the readers.
ReplyDeleteEven though i have yet to read this book, I believe that this book should definitely be challenged. The book uses a lot of vulgar language from what I pick up from the quotes. I am not sure if the author actually uses this language to get the point across, but it seems a bit excessive for that as well. It was similar to To Kill a Mockingbird, it would not be challenged because the language and racism are used to argue the point that racism is not a good thing and need to be stopped. however, it seems to me as if there is no big point being made by the author that is important enough to need to use that much vulgar language.
ReplyDeleteI believe this book is controversial however it talks about very real to life issues, such as poverty, alcoholism, sexuality, and racism. The book has integrity, it both makes the reader laugh, but could also make you cry. I believe it is one of the best novels i have read. I also believe it should be read in high schools because it is an easy read thereby those in the classroom who don't care for reading will enjoy it, and it has great, moral integrity, i would put this somewhere between challenged and must-read.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that this should be a challenged book. I have read it myself, and there are definitely parts in it that many parents wouldn't want their young teenagers reading, but the book also explores sorrow, racism, poetry, and many other topics that are important for young readers to understand. These areas of focus are documented through the comical commentary and drawings of Junior, the part-time Indian, and I think it is important that these heart-breaking and controversial topics are told through the lens of a teen because it makes the content very relatable to the reader. Because of the excessive sexual and racial content, I would agree that this should be a challenged book, but it is also exceptional at telling a touching, relatable story to other teens.
ReplyDelete