Option 1: An example of an event-based essay question
One of our points of departure for analysing Alexie’s (2007) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is that identity is learned through experience. For example, racial and gender identities are formed through a range of social experiences. Early in the novel, Arnold Spirit reflects on his parents’ skills, talents and the achievements he believes they could have reached if they had not been poor. How do these reflections shape Arnold’s sense of his identity as an American Indian? Answer this question in the format of a formal academic essay, which means that you must present a rigorously evidenced argument. Use the following structure: First, write an introduction with a thesis statement and a road map – but without background information (around 150 words). Second, in one paragraph briefly and accurately describe the skills and talents Arnold attributes to his parents, and what he thinks they could have achieved if they had not been poor (between 100 and 200 words). Third, explain how these reflections shape Arnold’s racial identity. You must cite evidence from the novel, and you may break this part of your essay into several paragraphs (between 300 and 400 words). Finally, write a conclusion that summarises your thesis statement and the evidence you have provided in support of that thesis (around 200 words).
To answer this event-based essay question, you will need to analyze Arnold Spirit's reflections on his parents' skills, talents, and what he believes they could have achieved if they were not poor, and how these reflections shape his racial identity as an American Indian.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to approach this essay:
1. Introduction (around 150 words):
Begin your essay with an introduction that includes a thesis statement and a road map of your essay's structure. Your thesis statement should express how Arnold's reflections on his parents' potential achievements shape his sense of identity as an American Indian. Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the subsequent paragraphs.
2. Description of skills and talents (between 100 and 200 words):
In one paragraph, describe the skills and talents that Arnold attributes to his parents. Explain what he believes they could have achieved if they were not limited by poverty. Use evidence from the novel to support your claims. Be concise and accurate in your description.
3. Reflections shaping Arnold's racial identity (between 300 and 400 words):
In this section, explain how Arnold's reflections on his parents' potential achievements shape his racial identity as an American Indian. You can break this part into several paragraphs to provide a clear and organized analysis. Make sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your arguments. Analyze how Arnold's observations and feelings about his parents' circumstances contribute to his understanding of his own identity as an American Indian.
4. Conclusion (around 200 words):
In the conclusion, summarize your thesis statement and the evidence you have provided throughout the essay. Restate the main points of your analysis. Reflect on how Arnold's reflections on his parents' potential achievements ultimately influence his sense of identity as an American Indian. End your essay with a strong closing statement that reinforces the significance of these reflections in shaping Arnold's racial identity.
Remember, a rigorous academic essay requires thoughtful analysis, evidence-based arguments, and proper citation of sources. Use the structure provided and ensure that your essay is well-supported and logically organized.
Introduction:
In Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the protagonist Arnold Spirit reflects on his parents' unrealized potential and the impact poverty has had on their lives. This essay will explore how these reflections shape Arnold's sense of his identity as an American Indian. Through examining the skills and talents Arnold attributes to his parents and their unrealized aspirations, we can understand the role experiences of poverty play in shaping his racial identity.
Skills and Talents Arnold Attributes to His Parents:
Arnold recognizes his parents' impressive skills and talents, even though they are hindered by poverty. He describes his father as a talented singer and dancer, while his mother possesses a remarkable artistic ability. In addition to these talents, Arnold believes that his parents could have achieved greatness and fulfillment in their respective fields if they had not been burdened by poverty. He envisions his father performing on big stages, receiving standing ovations, and earning admiration from the crowd. Similarly, he imagines his mother's art being displayed in galleries, collected by wealthy individuals, and receiving critical acclaim. These dreams and aspirations showcase Arnold's belief in the untapped potential of his parents.
Shaping Arnold's Racial Identity:
These reflections on his parents' potential evoke a profound impact on Arnold's racial identity. Through his parents' talents and unfulfilled dreams, Arnold internalizes the idea that his potential, too, is compromised by their shared racial identity as American Indians. He understands that being an American Indian comes with additional challenges and obstacles, such as poverty and limited opportunities. Arnold's realization of his parents' unfulfilled potential not only shapes his self-perception but also deepens his understanding of the systemic inequalities faced by American Indians.
Furthermore, Arnold's reflections on his parents' unrealized aspirations instill a sense of responsibility in him to break the cycle of poverty and redefine his own racial identity. He sees their unfulfilled dreams as a call to action, a motivation to overcome the limitations imposed by society and achieve success in spite of his racial background. Arnold's determination to rise above his circumstances and strive for greatness is a direct result of his reflections on his parents' unfulfilled potential.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Arnold's reflections on his parents' skills, talents, and unrealized aspirations shape his identity as an American Indian. Through understanding the potential that went unfulfilled due to poverty, Arnold internalizes the challenges and systemic inequalities faced by American Indians. These reflections not only affect his self-perception but also ignite a sense of responsibility and a drive to redefine his racial identity. Arnold's journey in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian serves as a powerful exploration of the ways in which experiences shape one's sense of identity.
Title: The Shaping of Arnold Spirit's Racial Identity in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Introduction:
Identity formation is a complex process that is influenced by various social experiences, including race and gender. In Sherman Alexie's novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the protagonist, Arnold Spirit, reflects on his parents' skills, talents, and the missed opportunities they encountered due to their impoverished circumstances. This essay will explore how these reflections shape Arnold's sense of his identity as an American Indian.
Skills and Talents of Arnold's Parents:
Arnold admires his parents and recognizes their untapped potential. He attributes various skills and talents to them, such as his father's artistic abilities, his mother's intelligence, and their shared love for education. Arnold believes that if his parents had not been burdened by poverty, they could have achieved great success in their respective domains. For instance, he imagines his father becoming a renowned painter and his mother pursuing a career as a mathematician or scientist.
Reflections Shaping Arnold's Racial Identity:
Arnold's reflections on his parents' unfulfilled potential significantly impact his racial identity as an American Indian. Firstly, these reflections highlight the impact of systemic inequality and poverty on his community. Arnold realizes that his parents' poverty is not a result of their lack of abilities or ambition, but rather a consequence of societal barriers that hinder their success.
Moreover, Arnold's awareness of his parents' unfulfilled dreams fosters a deeper connection to his Indian heritage. He sees their aspirations as reflections of the resilience and strength of his marginalized community, which has historically faced immense adversity. This understanding reinforces Arnold's identification with his Indian heritage and fuels his determination to overcome societal expectations and stereotypes.
Furthermore, Arnold's parents' unfulfilled potential instills in him a desire to break the cycle of poverty and to create a different narrative for himself and his community. He recognizes the importance of education as a means to achieve his dreams and redefine the stereotypes associated with his race. Arnold's reflections serve as a catalyst for his personal growth, encouraging him to navigate between his Indian identity and the predominantly white environment of his new school.
Conclusion:
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie portrays how Arnold Spirit's reflections on his parents' skills, talents, and unfulfilled ambitions contribute significantly to his racial identity as an American Indian. By acknowledging the systemic barriers faced by his parents and his community, Arnold gains a deeper understanding of his Indian heritage and a determination to challenge stereotypes. This serves as a driving force for his personal growth, emphasizing the power of individual experiences in shaping one's identity. Through Arnold's story, Alexie prompts readers to reflect on the long-lasting impact of social experiences in the construction of one's sense of self.