The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, lends itself to many discussion questions. I hope you are all enjoying the book as much as I have. Please continue to read the book this week. The post idea is based on the idea of language both spoken and unspoken.
Think about this quote from the book:
“I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because
words are too limited. If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other
language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you
draw a picture, everybody can understand it”.
As educators we want students to be able to understand how language shapes meaning and affects reader, whether that language is spoken, drawn, or written. This book really plays on all three. This book allows one to see that just the simple idea of “self-portrait” can be interpreted and created in such a variety of ways they will hopefully realize that while language can seem so simple and straight forward it can quite often be complex and versatile, leading to a multitude of interpretations.
Question: How is this quote powerful learning tool for an educator? How does this quote lend its self to the Essential Understandings with IEFA?
Visual art is more universal than a single language, though there are nuances of understanding. Shakespeare and opera are much better understood and subsequently enjoyed when seen performed. Some things simply have to be seen. We rely on our eyes, and, if we are honest, a little back story to help us along. Would an archeologist from the distant future understand much about the context of Junior's poverty or provenance? (Contemporary people don't even get it). But I think that even if you couldn't understand English, you could see that the diary images are for comic relief. Everyone loves cartoons, and you don't need training in visual literacy to perceive and enjoy them. It was so interesting to me how one of our past foreign exchange students, a city girl from Mongolia, took real delight in those "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", books. My tomes of teen angst are about as relevant as a subscription to Seventeen magazine, yet among the detritus of sketches and poem fragments, some glimpses of emotional truth.
ReplyDeleteJunior is Pagliacci. He is the funny clown crying for love on the inside, which is a true stereotype. (His privilege, and his role, is to speak truth to power). I've heard some people criticize Sherman Alexie, saying he substitutes a bitter gall for real scholarly work. Some dislike him being a widely read voice when there are many voices not heard who also represent individual Native perspectives. Not having read more than a few Alexie books and a poem or two, I wouldn't want to judge him or begrudge his success. The works I have looked at, have resonated with me, and I appreciate the power of words for letting me get up close to a person and share his thoughts about his individual world. The best writers always trick you into thinking you know them as a friend. If history is related through the subjective experience of the teller, I find it interesting that we can also hear the voices of other people, through the teacher's back story, or the letters from Junior's sister. Wasn't it interesting that the teacher knew of the sister's dream of being a writer when Junior didn't? English teacher, Brenda Johnson, says that just asking the question, "Whose voice is missing?" is a good evaluative tool. We have to give him a pass if it is a memoir from young adulthood, but he really is remarkably inclusive. Some passages speak for the tribe, some for the individual, some for the generation, or the gender. My Dad is a great one for interesting remarks; "Perception is sometimes more real than reality". This in reference to how things are vehemently misremembered by both sides in an emotional dispute. The 3rd time I read this book I will surely have new insights.
IJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you artistic view. You have made me look at the question in a different way. You are very insightful.
This quote is a one that I had to revisit a few times. I agree with Junior, words are unpredictable. Words that are written can often be intrepid in ways they were never meant to be. Texting and e-mailing are the form of communication today. I find them very hard to read sometimes, because I can never see the expressions on one’s face or body language. Those two things help me intrepid meanings in words. The connation can be misinterpreted in written language. I often think about how written and spoken language can be a barrier for individuals trying to understand one another. I believe that many Native Americans were taken advantage of due to a language barrier.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if treaties would have been drawn instead of written, would it have changed the outcomes of Montana native people. If words could have been turned into pictures, could the Bitterroot-Salish still live in the Bitterroot Valley? Junior says pictures are something everyone can understand, I agree. I believe images are a powerful tool. One can see emotions, conations, and spirit in drawings.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Words to describe pictures or drawings are left to the interpreter, while words to describe written language seem to be more limited. When Junior drew the picture of how Rowdy and he used to be and gave it to Rowdy, Rowdy did not tear it up. I think that picture was much stronger than anything Junior could have written to him. Just as pictures are a powerful learning tool for educators, they are just as powerful to the learner. Sometimes words are just not enough to allow students to express what they’ve learned and drawings allow that learner to express what they’ve learned in another medium. I think pictures, drawings, maps, etc. are a great way for educators to incorporate IEFA Essential Understandings as well. When I “read” about a tribal nation, I really enjoy the pictures and drawings that accompany the writing and often get a better understanding from them than the words. I must admit that I enjoy the way this book is peppered with drawings, it helps me “be there” understanding what Junior is experiencing.
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