The topic of banned and challenged books is rarely discussed due to the controversy and the range of opinions that some people have on the issue. While some suggest that banning books is the same as prohibiting free speech, others think that some books have too much graphic content and storylines that should not be available to the general public. However, a challenging piece of literature has a sense of allure and interest because of its taboo topics, making it more appealing to some people. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Sherman Alexie’s book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian to determine whether it should be banned due to the topics that are being explored by the author.
The Absolutely True Diary is written from the first-person perspective of a fourteen-year-old teenager, Arnold Spirit Jr., or also called Junior. The boy is very talented at drawing, which makes him a promising cartoonist in the future. The plot revolves around his life at the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State as well as the boy’s decision to transfer to a school for white Americans that is outside the reservation. The book includes both written pieces of Junior’s accounts as well as cartoon drawings that support his story. The importance of the cartoons in the book is attributed to making Junior closer to the reader as well as using illustrations as a tool to facilitate the depiction of both serious and comedic situations. The episodic diary lifestyle of the book adds also makes the narrative more engaging, as it is widespread for teenagers to have diaries.
This book has been the subject of multiple debates, since teachers included it in the school curriculum, while parents objected to it. The Absolutely True Diary ranked in the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists” in 2010-2014, and 2018 due to “or sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint “(“Top 10”). For example, in 2010, the Idaho School Council banned the novel as it contains profanity, a scene from masturbation, and anti-Christian sayings (Flood). This case is just one of them, and the book is often criticized and restricted because of its conflicting content.
Nevertheless, despite the truthful comments of people about abusive language, sexual references, and religious statements, the novel by Alexie cannot be prohibited. The primary purpose of the literature is to pay attention to critical problems, educate people and, often, entertain. Alexie’s novel is an example of such writing, and it is most suitable for young people since the author conveys the feelings and experiences of adolescents and gives lessons that they need to learn at a young age. I think that the frankness of the author is the feature that most attracts young adults and forces them to believe and understand the experiences of the protagonist. For example, a passage about masturbation is not vulgar as the narrator’s tone shows that the process is natural for a teenager, and Arnold’s interest in straight lines adds comic and lightness to the situation. (Alexie 21). Moreover, sexual arousal and masturbation are normal in adolescence; however, many teenagers feel guilty and awkward about their bodies because of prevailing stereotypes (Klass). Consequently, this passage, on the contrary, is calming for some children as they recognize themselves in the narrator.
Another point for which the book was banned in Idaho is its anti-Christian elements. Indeed, the book has a cartoon in which the story from the Bible is comically depicted, and there are also elements of violence (Alexie 140). However, all the author’s statements are not offensive, but only reflect the real situations and problems of society. Arnold is often beaten because he is different from other children, which demonstrates the urgent problem of bullying in schools. In addition, the death of several close people, as well as the alcoholism of his father, aroused anger and despair in Arnold, and his pictures help him to cope with grief. He says, “I was mad at God; I was mad at Jesus. They were mocking me, so I mocked them: I believe I could found more cartoons that would help me” (Alexie 140). Thus, a person who has learned the whole story cannot blame the author for displaying the truth.
Moreover, people who prohibit the book do not see the importance of those issues that the author raises. Alcoholism has only a negative reflection in history, and the example of Arnold, or rather his family, demonstrates his terrible influence. Arnold’s grandmother, sister, and father’s friend die because of alcohol, and the abuse of his father and his best friend’s father bring unhappiness to their families. The book also teaches a valuable lesson as Arnold shows that, despite poverty and numerous problems, there is always a way out, since his perseverance helped him change his life.
In conclusion, The Absolutely True Diary is a book that cannot be banned due to its socially meaningful content and style close to young people. Despite some controversial points and passages, the book does not carry negativity or propaganda of an immoral lifestyle. On the contrary, the author, through irony and truthful facts, shows the important problems of the modern world and the point of view of a teenager who tries to survive in it.
Works Cited
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Little, Brown and Company, 2007. Web.
Flood, Alison. “Sherman Alexie Young-Adult Book Banned in Idaho Schools.”The Guardian, 2014. Web.
Klass, Perri. “Why Is Children’s Masturbation Such a Secret?” The New York Times, 2018. Web.
“Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists.”(2020). Banned & Challenged Books | Website of The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. Web.