Madelyn Kelly
March 7, 2014
English 102 Essay
Professor, Tom Dewit
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Able to Weather The Calm During The Storm
How does one overcome obstacles, and not be submerged? Being engulfed by poverty, grief, death and alcoholism, one of our most strongest desires is to “Live”. The ability to embrace change, take risk, and find inner peace starts with making a conscience effort to survive any number of obstacles. The will to live starts inside of you. Just when you think you're about to give up ,you reach up and you reach out .You must believe in something that is larger than life, something you feel inside that holds, comforts, and directs you. The true meaning of hope and the ability to have the will needed for self determination and following your dreams, is of the utmost importance. My Higher power is the source I feel is relative to the journey of a very brave young man in the book titled “The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian. Arnold/Junior finds the strength to come from the lowest place in his life to a place where he is able to Weather the Calm during the Storm.
For Arnold, a young Indian boy that was confronted with many storms, his ability to weather each and every one of them was significant. Although Arnold lived on a reservation surrounded by poverty, and alcoholism, his willpower exceeded many of the undesirable experiences he suffers. The heritage of the Native American people was near and dear to Arnold’s heart, however he never wanted to be like the other Indians. The destruction associated with his family
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was overwhelming in many ways, but he finds a way to cope and not be submerged. Arnold had great people in his life that he was very close to, and loved dearly. He took great advice from his grandmother, “Grandmother Spirit” who always held on to her Indian-spirit. (see cartoon pg. 69) She was loving and kind and possessed the greatest gift of tolerance. Unlike his sister Mary Runs Away, Arnold felt very excited about life. He felt very strong love for her, despite the fact that she spent twenty three hours a day in the basement. The most inspirational person in Arnold’s life next to Grandmother Spirit was Mr. P. Mr P. is the math teacher who Arnold looked up to with great pride. The conversations he had with Mr. P contributed to Arnolds ability to sail and not drown. One of the talks Arnold has with Mr. P, he speaks to him in comparison to his sister, telling him how much of a star he and his sister are. Mr P. said “Mary was a bright and shining star, and you’re a bright and shining star too” (pg 40).
The friendship Arnold had with his dog Oscar and his friend Rowdy had a major impact in his life. Each day Arnold would spend time with Oscar his dog ,Oscar was an adopted stray mutt, that Arnold loved so much and stated “ the only living thing I could depend on.”(pg 9) Oscar was more dependable than any of his family members He felt Oscar taught him more than any
teacher ever did. Honestly, Arnold knew that Oscar was better than any human he had known and could appreciate the friendship. Rowdy, Arnold’s best friend on the “rez” impacted his life in many ways. Rowdy protected Arnold from others who may not have been as compassionate or understanding to his circumstances. The time they spent together was eight hours a day for three hundred sixty-five days a year, which was more time than he spent with his whole family.
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In Arnolds words “Rowdy and I were inseparable” (pg 24). The two of them were able to find solace in the enduring friendship they shared, giving Arnold the ability to stay afloat. I think you can only say that the two of them were able to weather many storms together and accepted the responsibility. Unfortunately, in Arnolds quest to stay afloat leaving the reservation was the only option available to him. Although Arnold is not delighted with the idea, he knew that in order to pursue his dreams and not become like the other indians he must seek higher grounds and leave the reservation. The risk he takes in leaving his family, best friend and all that comes with growing up on the reservation as the scroungy little Indian boy had to be executed. As he moves on to change schools from Wellpinit to Reardan, there were many stumbling blocks ahead. Because of the will and determination Arnold stayed fixated on his potential intent to weather the storm.
Drowning was not a choice that Arnold would consider. Arnold never felt different about his-self and championed every challenge with triumph. In spite of the fact that he was born with water on the brain, he never felt as though he could not overcome the hardships he endured in his everyday life. The suffering he witnessed on a daily basis granted him the ability to keep his eye on the prize, and the prize to Rowdy was becoming independent of all the awful things he had been subjected to on the reservation. A change for Arnold as he left the reservation meant meeting new friends and experiencing a new world unlike his own In my opinion only a little Indian kid like Arnold with the desire, will, and perseverance could complete this critical mission. .Arnold benefited from the realization that although he did not look or act like any of the other
indians, he was still the poor Indian kid from Spokane, and it was his responsibility to shape his life in search of the future he wanted so desperately. After leaving the reservation he found
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comfort and support in meeting a young lady by the name of Penelope. Penelope took a liking to Arnold quickly and they became good friends which allowed one other person to help him weather the storm.
Ultimately, Arnold's ability to stay afloat and not become submerged, rested in his courage, bravery, and all the magnificent people around him. The will power of this young boy kept him slightly different than all the other Indians on the reservation. The journey of Arnold I feel is one we can all be very proud of in his relentless effort to swim and not become submerged no matter what the dilemma, he was about to face. In my opinion I’m sure it took a lot of courage to leave everything and everybody for the sake of following your dream and become as close to normalcy as possible. I feel stepping out on a little faith and believing in yourself can definitely take you places you thought you would never be able to go. Throughout this novel Arnold shows what it is like to embrace many hurdles with great effort, tenacity, and drive. The friendships that he
encountered along his remarkable journey helped to direct his path and keep him in a frame of mind knowing that failure was not a choice he was willing to make. To be a champion, Arnold made it a preference in his life to rise above all that was unacceptable to him in a life of alcoholism and destruction on the reservation. As with any storm, we all must take the time and evaluate where we are personally. The fact that Arnold found the strength and capability to weather the calm during the storm can only be praised. Life for Arnold away from the reservation portrays deep meaning to him as a poor Indian boy growing up in poverty and grief.
