The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian

During this theme we are going to work with the book “The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian”.

 

We are going to work with pre-reading activities about Native Americans. You will read the book, discuss themes and characters and for the final examination, you will write an essay about a given theme.

 

1. Pre-reading activities: watch and discuss the videos.
2. Research about the Native Americans, more specific the Spokane Native Americans. Discussions in groups in class after you have done your research.

PRE-READING QUESTIONS TO RESEARCH

PRE-READING: BACKGROUND NOTES  

 

As part of your class study of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, answer the following research questions using the internet 

 

• Who are the Spokane Native Americans? Where are they located? What is their history? What are their customs and traditions?   

 

• Why were reservations set up in America? What was their goal? Has it been successful?  

 

• Where in America is the Spokane Native American reservation located? How big is the reservation? How many people live there?   

 

• What do Americans celebrate at Thanksgiving?   

 

• What is the Bureau of Indian Affairs? 

   

• What is the Spokane Powwow?   

 

• How can the difficulties of the Native Americans be compared with the journey of the Indigenous Australians? How are their experiences similar? How do they differ? 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading

The book will be split into three different parts, after finish reading each part we will discuss the characters and the different themes that the book presents.

Post-reading

After we have finished the book we will have a book discussion and continue discussing the characters, the themes and what drives the plot forward.

Reflections:

1. Read up to page 53 and write down your reflections about the motifs Identity and self-esteem in the book. Find quotes (part of text) that supports you and discuss how these quotes have to do with the motifs.

• In what way and why is the motifs shown in the book? In what way can one say that the book takes up the identity and self-esteem.
• What does Junior think about his identity? Who is he and how does other people see him?
• How is Junior's self-esteem?

Final examination:

You will write an essay about a given theme on Digiexam. More information and themes will be given at a later time.

Uppgifter

Missed book discussions

Please attach your text and don't forget to write what discussion it is you have missed.

Reflection: poverty and racism

Read up to page 113 and write down your reflections about the motifs Poverty and Racism in the book. Find quotes (part of text) that supports you and discuss how these quotes have to do with the motifs.

In what way and why are the motifs shown in the book? In what way can one say that the book discusses the motifs poverty and racism.

Try to discuss the effects for the characters but also the society.

Reflections: male relations and hope and dreams

Read the pages 114-158 and discuss the following and think about the motif and try to discuss it from that perspective

Male relations

"I wanted to tell him that he was my best friend and I loved him like crazy, but boys don't say such things to other boys, and nobody said such things to Rowdy" (p.48-9)

Analyze the cartoon on p.218. What does this suggest about male friendships?

Hope and dreams

"But we reservation Indians don't get to realise our dreams. We don't get those chances. Or choices. We're just poor. That's all we are" (p.13)

Junior comes from a culture of people who have forgotten how to hope and dream, and so he must strive to move away from the cycle of poverty that threatens to engulf (uppsluka) him. So, why haven't they moved and what does that lead to for their culture and for indigenous people in general?

Komplettering "Discrimination and bullying"

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Reflections: motifs identity and self-esteem

Hand in your text

Read up to page 53 and write down your reflections about the motifs Identity and self-esteem in the book. Find quotes (part of text) that supports you and discuss how these quotes have to do with the motifs.

In what way and why is the motifs shown in the book? In what way can one say that the book takes up the identity and self-esteem.

What does Junior think about his identity? Who is he and how does other people see him?

How is Junior's self-esteem?