Amanda Knapp
In Sherman Alexie's book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Arnold (nicknamed Junior), a boy with a disability, and Rowdy share a brother-like bond. Rowdy, the toughest kid on the reservation, protects Arnold from bullies, and Arnold supports Rowdy in dealing with his abusive father. However, their relationship becomes strained when Arnold decides to attend a school off the reservation, and their final basketball game together becomes a significant moment in the regeneration of their friendship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of relationship | Brother-like bond |
| Impact of basketball | Strained their relationship |
| Arnold's decision to attend a school off the reservation | Rowdy punches Arnold and screams that he hates him |
| Resolution | The final basketball game between the two signifies reconciliation and regeneration of their relationship |
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What You'll Learn
Basketball game highlights the differences in their social standing
In the book *The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* by Sherman Alexie, the relationship between Arnold and Rowdy is impacted by a basketball game that highlights the differences in their social standing. Arnold, who is physically weak and has a disability, is often protected by Rowdy, the strongest kid on the reservation, from bullies at school. However, their dynamic changes when Arnold decides to attend a school off the reservation, which Rowdy perceives as a betrayal.
The basketball game between Reardon and Wellpinit becomes a platform to showcase the differing social standings of Arnold and Rowdy. Arnold, now playing for Reardon, is greeted by a hostile crowd chanting "Ar-nold sucks!". The use of his Reardon name instead of his rez name signifies that he is viewed as a traitor and an outsider by his former community. The angry Indians in the crowd and the referees' bias towards Wellpinit further emphasize the social divide.
Rowdy, still deeply hurt and furious with Arnold's decision to leave the reservation, is among the protesters. Rowdy's protective nature, which once shielded Arnold from harm, now turns against him as their friendship becomes strained. The basketball game, rather than being a simple sporting event, symbolizes the conflict between Arnold's desire for personal growth and Rowdy's sense of loyalty to the reservation.
The game ends with Wellpinit winning by 30 points, and Arnold suffering a minor concussion. This outcome further deepens the rift between Arnold and Rowdy, with Rowdy's attack on Arnold being a manifestation of his feelings of betrayal. The basketball game and its aftermath highlight the complexities of their relationship and the challenges they face in reconciling their differing paths in life.
Despite the initial conflict, the basketball game also becomes a catalyst for the eventual reconciliation of their friendship. Both characters come to understand that they must follow their own paths, with Rowdy accepting Arnold's pursuit of his dreams and Arnold recognizing the enduring connection to his Native American identity. The regeneration of nature around the reservation at the end of the narrative reflects the healing and maturation of their relationship.
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Rowdy's aggression towards Arnold
In the book *The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* by Sherman Alexie, Rowdy and Arnold (nicknamed Junior) share a brother-like bond while Arnold attends school on the reservation. Rowdy, who is the toughest kid on the rez, protects Arnold from bullies, and Arnold supports Rowdy in dealing with his abusive, alcoholic father. However, their relationship becomes strained when Arnold decides to attend a school off the reservation. Rowdy punches Arnold, screaming that he hates him, and their friendship becomes more problematic and argumentative.
Rowdy's protective nature towards Arnold often leads to violence, and he is described as a natural fighter who fights everyone. Despite his aggression, Rowdy's friendship with Arnold is highly valuable, and they trust each other deeply. Rowdy's aggression towards Arnold can be seen as a defence mechanism against the cruel reality of his abusive home life. While their relationship has its ups and downs, it plays a crucial role in the maturation process for both characters, helping them navigate their early lives without losing hope.
In the end, Rowdy and Arnold reconcile and come to accept each other's choices. They understand that they must follow their own paths, and their final basketball game together symbolises the regeneration of their friendship. Despite the aggression and strain in their relationship, Rowdy and Arnold's bond is a positive influence that helps them prepare for the outside world.
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Arnold's decision to leave the reservation
In the book *The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* by Sherman Alexie, Arnold (nicknamed Junior) is a boy with a disability that makes him an easy target for his peers. While attending school on the reservation, Arnold and Rowdy share a brother-like bond. Rowdy, who endures abuse at home, often stays with Arnold and acts as his protector. Despite their contrasting personalities, with Rowdy being tough and Arnold awkward, their friendship thrives.
However, their relationship becomes strained when Arnold decides to leave the reservation to attend Reardan High School. Rowdy is furious with Arnold's decision and refuses to join him. He punches Arnold and screams that he hates him. This act of aggression marks a shift in their dynamic, as Rowdy, who once protected Arnold from beatings, is now physically hurting him.
Arnold's departure also underscores the theme of overlapping opposites in the narrative. The boys' differences initially bring them together, as Rowdy's toughness contrasts with Arnold's vulnerability. However, as their lives diverge, their contrasting paths become a source of tension. Arnold's choice to pursue a different educational path reflects his desire for personal growth and acceptance, even if it means navigating the challenges of being an outsider.
Despite the initial strain on their relationship, Arnold and Rowdy eventually reconcile. They come to understand that they must follow their own paths, and their final basketball game together symbolises the regeneration of their friendship. It represents a contest between two equally compatible forces, competing with one another for the love of the game and each other. Through this shared experience, they recognise that their lives will always be linked, even as they embrace their individual journeys.
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Rowdy's acceptance of Arnold's decision
In the book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie, the protagonist Arnold (nicknamed Junior) is a boy with a disability that makes him an easy target for his peers. However, his friend Rowdy, the toughest kid on the reservation, protects him from bullies. Rowdy and Arnold share a brother-like bond, with Rowdy often staying with Arnold and protecting him from an early age. Arnold describes Rowdy as his “best human friend".
However, their relationship becomes strained when Arnold decides to attend a school off the reservation. Rowdy punches Arnold and screams that he hates him, no longer wanting to protect him. This is because Rowdy feels betrayed by Arnold's decision to leave the reservation and sees him as a traitor.
Despite this, the two eventually reconcile through a shared love of basketball. In a final 1-on-1 basketball game, there is no score kept, no dominant force, and no superior being. The game symbolises a contest between two equally compatible forces, competing with one another for the love of the game and one another. Rowdy accepts that Arnold had to follow his dream and is happy for him. Arnold recognises that he will always be linked to his Native American identity and the reservation, while also having a foot in the world of the Whites.
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The regeneration of their friendship
In the book *The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* by Sherman Alexie, Arnold Spirit Jr. (nicknamed Junior) is a boy with a disability that makes him an easy target for his peers. Despite this, his friend Rowdy, the toughest kid on the reservation, protects him from bullies. Rowdy also stays with Arnold often, as his father is abusive and an alcoholic.
However, their relationship becomes strained when Arnold decides to attend a school off the reservation, as Rowdy refuses to join him and punches Arnold, screaming that he hates him. When Arnold plays basketball against Rowdy for the first time, the crowd chants "Ar-nold sucks!" and turns their backs on him, with Rowdy being the only one still looking at him. This game deepens the rift between the two boys.
It is only during a game of basketball the following summer that Arnold and Rowdy begin to hash things out. Rowdy comes to accept Arnold's decision to pursue his dream, and Arnold recognises that his identity will always be linked to both his Native American heritage and the world of the Whites. The regeneration of trees and natural life around the reservation at the end of the narrative symbolises the regeneration of their friendship. Their final basketball game together is significant as there is no score kept, reflecting how the two are equally compatible forces, competing with one another for the love of the game and each other.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball was a significant factor in the reconciliation of Arnold and Rowdy's friendship. The final basketball game between the two is symbolic of their relationship, with no score being kept and no dominant force, reflecting the equal compatibility of the pair.
Arnold and Rowdy's relationship was strained after Arnold decided to attend a school off the reservation. Rowdy was furious with Arnold and even punched him, screaming that he hated him.
After the game, Rowdy and Arnold understood that each had to follow their own path. Rowdy accepted that Arnold had to pursue his dream, and Arnold recognised that his identity would always be linked to his roots and his new life in the world of the Whites.
