“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” is a humorous and intuitive novel written by Sherman Alexie. The reader gets a glimpse into the daily life of a fourteen-year-old hydrocephalus Indian boy named Arnold Spirit, also called Junior Spirit. He lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation and is considered an outcast by all the other Indians, due to his medical condition. Against all odds, Arnold broadens his hopes, leaves his school on the reservation and faces new obstacles to obtain a brighter future at a school off the reservation. The novel is told through Arnold's voice, thoughts, actions, and experiences. Alexie incorporates point of view, different themes and settings, such as poverty, friendship, Spokane and Reardan, into Arnold's journey to illustrate the different difficulties he must overcome to gain access to higher education. The entire novel is written from the point of view of the main character Arnold. The reader would feel like they were having a conversation with a close friend and would then be better able to understand and sympathize with Arnold's struggles and accomplishments. For example, Arnold begins telling his story to the reader by stating, “I was born with water on my brain.” (Alexie, 1) Explaining his condition at the beginning of the novel makes it easy for the reader to understand why Arnold may react differently to certain social situations. However, his health also acts as an anchor for the reader to get closer to Arnold's character. Without a personal connection, readers cannot relate or understand Arnold's experience. Using the first person perspective of Arnold's character gave Alexie an edge and made the novel more appealing to readers. The decor...... middle of paper...... his only friend in the world. Throughout the novel, Rowdy is furious with Arnold for leaving the reservation. Despite the disagreement, Arnold is still able to have attentive conversations with Rowdy, showing that no matter what happens, Rowdy will always be Arnold's friend. At some point, Arnold and Rowdy become best friends again. This friendship between Arnold and Rowdy that Alexie incorporated into the novel perfectly illustrates the difficulties between personal companions and personal prosperity. Hardships are everywhere but "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie is a fun and intelligent novel that clearly provides the reader with perfect examples of poverty and friendship on an Indian reservation. Alexie integrates these examples through the perspective and experiences of a fourteen-year-old boy named Arnold Spirit Jr...