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. At one point in the novel, Uncle Eugene dies. How does his death shape Arnold’s sense of his identity as an American Indian boy? In other words, based on this experience, what hard lessons does he learn about what it means to be an American Indian male in his specific social context? 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 who Uncle Eugene was, and how he dies (between 100 and 200 words). Third, explain how the death of Uncle Eugene shapes Arnold’s racial and gender 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).

Answer 1

Introduction:
In Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, identity is portrayed as a social construct, learned through personal experiences. This essay explores how the death of Uncle Eugene shapes Arnold's sense of his identity as an American Indian boy, shedding light on the harsh lessons he learns about the meaning of being an American Indian male in his particular social context.

Uncle Eugene’s Background and Death:
Uncle Eugene is a member of the Wellpinit tribe, deeply rooted in traditional values and living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. As Arnold's beloved uncle, Eugene serves as a father figure, role model, and source of guidance. However, his untimely death occurs in a tragic alcohol-related accident. Eugene's death deeply impacts Arnold, leaving a void in his life and instilling within him a sense of loss.

The Shaping of Arnold's Racial Identity:
Arnold's racial identity as an American Indian boy is significantly influenced by Uncle Eugene's death. It reinforces the notion that the Spokane Indian Reservation, plagued by alcoholism and poverty, stifles any potential for progress or individual success. Arnold witnesses how his uncle's life was thwarted by the limitations imposed by their community. He states, "On the reservation, my cousins are called Indians. That means they are trapped inside old houses... I refuse to belong to a broken tribe... I want to belong to a tribe of winners" (Alexie 43). Here, Arnold's desire to break free from his community's cycle of hardship exemplifies his growing awareness of the negative aspects associated with their racial identity.

Moreover, Uncle Eugene's death highlights the pervasive use of alcohol as a coping mechanism within the reservation. Arnold witnesses how alcoholism and its consequences dominate the lives of Native Americans, perpetuating stereotypes and inhibiting personal growth. His observation of Eugene's death as a direct result of alcoholism further solidifies his understanding of the destructive impact it has on individuals and their identity. Arnold reflects, "I’m different, the result of forty-two schemes by my loving parents, but I’m still related to each and every family in the rez... Indian families make no sense" (Alexie 70). This realization highlights Arnold's struggle to reconcile his racial identity and the disarray prevalent within his Native American community.

The Shaping of Arnold's Gender Identity:
Not only does Eugene's death impact Arnold's racial identity, but it also shapes his gender identity as an American Indian male. Arnold grapples with the expectations placed upon him as he witnesses Eugene's alcohol addiction, negligence, and ultimate demise. Although Arnold wants to embrace his heritage, he realizes the toxic masculinity that often accompanies it. He observes, "I felt sanctuary on the rez, but I also felt exposed... because the only thing that looked worse than a “” was a “” who hung out with a known sissy" (Alexie 55). Arnold's struggle to fit into the mold of an American Indian male reveals the strict gender norms prevalent in his community, forcing him to confront the suffocating expectations placed upon him.

Conclusion:
In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the death of Uncle Eugene serves as a pivotal experience that shapes Arnold's racial and gender identity as an American Indian boy. Eugene's death exposes the limitations and issues within the Spokane Indian Reservation, leading Arnold to question his place within his community. Through his observations and reflections, Arnold learns hard lessons about the negative aspects associated with being an American Indian male in his specific social context. Ultimately, his experiences contribute to the development of his own identity as he navigates the challenges of his dual cultural heritage.