The setting of the novel:-
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian features two main settings, the Pacific Northwest towns of Wellpinit and Reardan. These contrasting locations – one an Indian reservation and the other an white community.
Spokane Indian Reservation.
This is the place where Arnold lived with his mother, father, sister, and grandmother , in poverty.The reservation is a rough place to live. Fist fighting is a way of life here.Almost everyone in the rez are alcoholics, both of Arnold's parents as well. This situation, unfortunately, leads to many, many senseless deaths. Despite of all these issues the reservation is beautiful with millions of pine trees everywhere, some of them are very old. The most important thing is that the reservation is home to a very close-knit community of Indian families where everybody knows everyone else.Here almost every kid is called Junior.
This is the place where Arnold lived with his mother, father, sister, and grandmother , in poverty.The reservation is a rough place to live. Fist fighting is a way of life here.Almost everyone in the rez are alcoholics, both of Arnold's parents as well. This situation, unfortunately, leads to many, many senseless deaths. Despite of all these issues the reservation is beautiful with millions of pine trees everywhere, some of them are very old. The most important thing is that the reservation is home to a very close-knit community of Indian families where everybody knows everyone else.Here almost every kid is called Junior.
Reardan High School in Reardan.
The novel's second major setting is Reardan, mostly-white town 22 miles away from the reservation in Wellpinit. Reardan is home to the high school where Arnold decides to transfer to make his life. Arnold's identity in Reardan is not directly related to his tribe or his family. He is known in Reardan not as "Junior," but as "Arnold". It is a place of opportunity. The school has a computer room and a chemistry lab and awesome basketball courts. Thus Arnold wins at everything whether athletic or academic competitions.Inspite of all these advantages he admits that the place is a "hick town" and is filled with farmers and racist cops.
The novel's second major setting is Reardan, mostly-white town 22 miles away from the reservation in Wellpinit. Reardan is home to the high school where Arnold decides to transfer to make his life. Arnold's identity in Reardan is not directly related to his tribe or his family. He is known in Reardan not as "Junior," but as "Arnold". It is a place of opportunity. The school has a computer room and a chemistry lab and awesome basketball courts. Thus Arnold wins at everything whether athletic or academic competitions.Inspite of all these advantages he admits that the place is a "hick town" and is filled with farmers and racist cops.