(We didn't keep score.)-229 Alexie, is the last line of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. This quote is perfect for the situation and a great way to finish out the book. The word "Score' has a connotation that represents rules. The entire book is ruled by stereotypes. These stereotypes imprint all of the native american's lives and do not allow them to escape their social norms. If you look at the quote differently, it also means; let's forget about our grief and pains. Junior has had three recent deaths of his closest friends and families. These have hurt him greatly and he would rather forget them than anything else.
I fully agree with your point. All throughout the book, Junior had to keep playing the "game" of stereotypes and had to keep a racial "score". As an Indian, Junior often was a loser in this "game" of racial competition and had very few ways of winning in actual reality. This line is important, because it shows that for once Junior didn't have to pay attention to all the pain and hurt he had gone through. It almost represents a "timeout" from the stereotypical "game".
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you're saying. Life is similar to a game. Junior had to play the hardest version by making all the choices he made, but he often got the short end of the stick because he was an indian. Also, with the fact that a subject in the book is basketball, that is also keeping score. Lastly, with all the deaths that had gone on lately in his life, he was starting to lose the opinion that came with caring about what went on.
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