The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

MSIP/Homework Activities
(Pages 67 149)

Discussion Questions
1. What does Grandma say Junior will have after confronting the alpha dog?
2. What is the difference between Juniors and Penelopes Halloween costumes?
Why is this significant?
3. What advice does Junior imagine Rowdy would give him regarding Penelopes love?
4. What makes Mr. Dodge angry? Why does Gordy claim that he stuck up for Junior?
5. How does Junior attempt to fix his friendship with Rowdy?
6. What encourages Junior to think Rowdy may still respect him?
7. How does Junior summarize the Winter Formal?
8. How does Junior hope Earl will save him?
9. How does Junior react to Rowdys email and digital photo?
10. What advice does Dad give that encourages Junior to try out for the Reardon basketball team?
11. What happens to Junior when Coach sends him into the game?

Protagonist Arnold Spirit Junior (main character)
- continue to add to your chart about the main character, Arnold
- consider: why was Junior lonelier at Reardon than he had ever been before?
- consider: what do some Indians call Junior? What does this mean?

Minor Characters
- continue keeping track of minor characters and their purpose in the novel
- add more details about Penelope (what is her bond with Arnold?) and Mary Runs Away (how does Junior feel about her
following her dreams?)
- add Gordy why was Gordy a suitable friend for Arnold? What does he learn from him? Why did Junior conclude that
Gordy the bookworm was just as tough as Rowdy (Alexie 116)?
- How did Gordy help Junior understand why Rowdy and others on the reservation considered him a traitor?
- add Coach

Narrative Devices
Flashback a scene that takes the narrative back to an earlier time before the current plot What do we learn about
Arnolds emotions from the flashback at the beginning of the chapter called Tears of a Clown?

Simile a direct comparison of two things, using like or as. See Gordys use of the simile: PCs are like French people living
during the bubonic plague (Alexie 92). What is being compared? What does this reveal about Gordys way of thinking and
expressing himself?

Big Ideas Blog - Pick ONE of the following topics and write a RESPONSE BLOG (comment) to it.
- What is worse? Being physically attacked by your peers or being ignored?
- How would you compare Arnolds and Penelopes relationship to a typical teen relationship? What role do ego and
insecurity play in the relationship?
- Do you agree with Juniors opinion that if you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing
(129)? Why or why not?
COMMENT on at least one of your classmates entries (on a different topic than the one you chose).

Due Date: ______________________________________________