Dublin Core
Title
IDENTITY AND OTHERNESS IN SHERMAN ALEXIE'S THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART TIME INDIAN
Abstract
The paper discusses Sherman Alexie's 2007 novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian within the context of the (de)construction of identity and Otherness of a “new” American Indian in the contemporary world. Through analysis of the American Indian identity and the facets which characterize “Indianness” in Alexie’s Diary, the paper explores a new Indian reality that resists boundaries and singularity in many ways. A great part of that identity is created and presented through Junior and/or Arnold’s language. Abundant with slang terms, occasionally sexually explicit, offensive and racist comments or views packed with metaphorical expressions and underlined with humor and irony, such language contributes significantly to the creation of double identity or multiple identities of a young person. Additionally, there are cartoons, used as a special medium to bridge the gap between the words and the reader offering at the same time a humorous insight into the experience of life. The aim of the paper is to focus on the contrasting identities of the Indian and the White cultures, races and spaces as well as on a concept of a new consciousness about Indian identity and co-existence in the world that is yet to be discovered for Alexie’s post-nomadic Indian. It will also show that the creation of identity of a young person is a multilevel process of growing up and maturity reflected in social, cultural, linguistic and many other dimensions. Keywords: Otherness, “Indianness”, “a part time Indian”, a post-Indian identity, language, slang, humor, cartoons.
Keywords
Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed
PeerReviewed
Date
2014
Extent
3539