Analysing an Illustration - Diary of a Part-Time Indian Blog Post #1
1. What do you see?
An image Junior drew, half of that being him and the other half being a kid from Reardan. It also depicts what they're wearing and some traits of their social environment.
2. Is the author being humorous or serious, or both?
Both. He's serious in the fact that the white kids have a ton more money than him, and are able to buy more expensive clothes. They also have "hope" instead of a "bone-crushing reality", and "positive role models" instead of a "family history of diabetes and cancer", which is probably more than true at this point in the story. However, humorous elements also seen in this. Most of those elements are self-deprecating humour, though. Little phrases like "it's skin-thirty" poke through and show the more light-hearted side of Junior.
3. What does he mean by these descriptions?
He means to show the stark contrast between himself and the other children at Reardan. Through both the serious and self-deprecating parts of this drawing, it seems like he sees himself as less than all the Reardan kids, like he's the ugly duckling among the rest.
4. How does this depict Arnold and his views of the world/himself (tone)? How does this image make you feel (mood)?
It shows that he is is very self-aware and also very comfortable with himself. The self-awareness is shown through the fact that he notices these differences. To do so, he must be conscious and aware of himself. However, it also shows that he is comfortable with this idea (at least on the surface) because he is able to make fun of himself. It takes quite a bit of confidence (or at least fake confidence used to mask insecurities) to make fun of yourself. It seems kind of quippy and harsh in tone and a little uncomfortable in mood because of all these differences laid out for you in an almost 'tough love' kind of way.
5. What larger thematic idea do you see being developed?
I think the major thematic idea being approached here is related to finding one's identity. It shows that one's identity is often formed in relation to the people they surround themselves with. Here Arnold seemingly struggles with the idea of his identity as the only Native American other than the mascot at Reardan. It demonstrates his internal conflict between fitting in and staying true to his roots, and that is a major idea in this book.
6. What EFFECT does this illustration have on the development of a particular emotional (tone and mood) and/or thematic meaning?
This really sets up the internal conflict that leads to that major idea of identity in this book. It creates a quippy, harsh, tough-love tone, which is kind of what Arnold must deal with in Reardan.
An image Junior drew, half of that being him and the other half being a kid from Reardan. It also depicts what they're wearing and some traits of their social environment.
2. Is the author being humorous or serious, or both?
Both. He's serious in the fact that the white kids have a ton more money than him, and are able to buy more expensive clothes. They also have "hope" instead of a "bone-crushing reality", and "positive role models" instead of a "family history of diabetes and cancer", which is probably more than true at this point in the story. However, humorous elements also seen in this. Most of those elements are self-deprecating humour, though. Little phrases like "it's skin-thirty" poke through and show the more light-hearted side of Junior.
3. What does he mean by these descriptions?
He means to show the stark contrast between himself and the other children at Reardan. Through both the serious and self-deprecating parts of this drawing, it seems like he sees himself as less than all the Reardan kids, like he's the ugly duckling among the rest.
4. How does this depict Arnold and his views of the world/himself (tone)? How does this image make you feel (mood)?
It shows that he is is very self-aware and also very comfortable with himself. The self-awareness is shown through the fact that he notices these differences. To do so, he must be conscious and aware of himself. However, it also shows that he is comfortable with this idea (at least on the surface) because he is able to make fun of himself. It takes quite a bit of confidence (or at least fake confidence used to mask insecurities) to make fun of yourself. It seems kind of quippy and harsh in tone and a little uncomfortable in mood because of all these differences laid out for you in an almost 'tough love' kind of way.
5. What larger thematic idea do you see being developed?
I think the major thematic idea being approached here is related to finding one's identity. It shows that one's identity is often formed in relation to the people they surround themselves with. Here Arnold seemingly struggles with the idea of his identity as the only Native American other than the mascot at Reardan. It demonstrates his internal conflict between fitting in and staying true to his roots, and that is a major idea in this book.
6. What EFFECT does this illustration have on the development of a particular emotional (tone and mood) and/or thematic meaning?
This really sets up the internal conflict that leads to that major idea of identity in this book. It creates a quippy, harsh, tough-love tone, which is kind of what Arnold must deal with in Reardan.
Wow, I have to say I am impressed by your post! I do want to argue, however, about the fourth point... I feel like Junior develops his confidence and comfortableness with himself after he moves to Reardan, but at the time of drawing this image, he is still insecure and bitter that white people get more. But, I couldn't agree more with your larger thematic idea, which talked about finding his identity. I didn't even think about that when I was writing my post! Anyway, great job!
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