Zombies in The Absolutely True Diary of a Party Time Indian Essay Sample

As individuals grow and become more immersed in their surroundings, they often go on autopilot, alive yet not living. Evident in Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, where characters are exhibited as being “zombies”, with no desire or hope for their futures. With deep roots in the reservation, this plague has infected many of the people on it, and to some extent even Juniors parents and family. Taking many different forms, the concept of going on autopilot, and becoming mindless can contrast from person to person. Yet, the common solution, as evidenced by Junior, is to leave the source, in this case is the reservation. If not, many will have their hopes and dreams killed, and remerge with their fire and desire to live unfortunately burned out.

Due to their living conditions and lack of support for their dreams, many people (including Junior’s parents) lose their craving for life and to live. When introducing Junior's parents to the reader, with their past aspirations and dreams. Alexie makes it clear that hope can come from any corner of the world. Between Juniors mothers scholarly ambitions, and fathers musical talent, it is clear that they have great potential. Which raises the question why they could not have become something reasonably as great. That is where chance and opportunity come into play. See, if she had been “[g]iven the chance, [Junior’s] mother would have gone to college”(Alexie 12), and likewise for his father. Though part of going on autopilot can be due to the fact of not taking risks or chances to live when a person receives them. Another factor is not getting the chance to begin with. Such is prevalent with Juniors parents, who both have very big dreams, but due to where they live never get to enjoy them. Alexie introduces how important chance is when dealing with the concept of living, and how it can map the road of an individual's life. As Mentioned by Junior, both of his parents have the potential to do great things. But once stripped of opportunity, slip into the autopilot state of being. They do not simply give up on their dreams, merely the world around them gives up on them. In turn, they too become somewhat of zombies, people with shattered dreams and wasted potential, feeling as if there is no way out. The roots of becoming a person who is living passively are complex, and buried deep in both who they are as an individual and where they are in the world. 

Losing hope and a will to live is not a one size fits all concept. It takes different forms and is distinct from individual to individual. As Junior discusses his father, he mentions his other habits besides drinking. Drinking, of course, is his main pastime, and a way for him to numb himself from the world. Though this is not the only way that he can be exhibited as a “zombie”. As Junior recalls, “[w]henever [his] father isn't off on a drinking binge, he spends most of his time in his bedroom, alone, watching TV…He doesn't react much to the games at all. [He] suppose[s] he is depressed“ (Alexie 39-40). Despite the fact that Junior's father has not fully turned into a lifeless shell of himself as others have. He, along with Juniors other family members most definitely still slip into those shells occasionally. As Junior says, when his father isn’t drinking he is simply alone in his room. Merely looking at the tv, not even taking in what he is watching. Here is one of those instances where a person becomes a mindless “zombie”. Lacking the realization that it is happening, or what they are doing in that time period. It is a slow battle, where one at times feels optimistic both about their current situation and life. But turn back around and mindlessly carry on with their existence, with no regard for the present or future. Likewise, another one of Juniors family members can be seen slipping in and out of their autopilot state. In this instance, it is Juniors older sister, Mary. He describes this bright light she has, and would later learn of her passion for writing from Mr. P (Juniors teacher). Yet, similar to his father, mentions how she too slowly turns into a “zombie” as she grows up. After leaving highschool that passion and drive for her future disintegrates, ”[his] sister just froze. Didn't go to college, didn't get a job. Didn't do anything” (Alexie 26). Though it may look different for different people, the concept of being alive without living remains the same. For Junior's sister, her way of turning into a “zombie” was by freezing. She gives up on her hopes and future, simply existing. Mary is frozen in time, confined by the four walls of her basement, not allowing herself a way out. Revealing the many different ways in which people can stop “living”. From Junior's father, watching the hours away with mindless basketball games, to his older sister losing her passion for life and her dreams. The way people passively move through life may look different depending on the individual. But the feeling of it, of losing oneself, remains the same.

Often, the only way to stop moving through life passively is by taking chances, maintaining hope, and fighting for one's future. In the aftermath of the book-throwing incident at school, Mr. P pays him a visit at his home. Instead of the typical “teacher scolding” that Junior was expecting, Mr. P urges him to leave the rez.  He realizes that Junior is among a small group of people on the reservation who have maintained their hope. As well as an individual who still believes in their future, and for better things to come. Mr. P impulsively tells Junior that “[i]f [he] stay[s] on th[e] rez, they’re going to kill [him]. [He is] going to kill [Junior]. [They are] all going to kill [Junior]. [He] can't fight [them] forever” (Alexie 43). By staying on the rez, Junior will eventually succumb to its hope/dream crushing ways. Though he will not be literally killed, his hope and love for life will be. If Junior never leaves, he will develop into society. He will no longer live or believe in a better future for himself. It is necessary for Junior to leave his home in order for him to continue living. The rez will strip him of everything that is keeping him alive. Hope is what sustains the will to live, and once hope is gone, a person's life follows. Moreover, once Junior accepts Mr. P’s thoughts, and realizes it is vital for him to leave the reservation, he tells his parents. Though his parents are fully supportive, they do not grasp the haste at which Junior wants or more needs to leave the rez. Partly because they have lost the will to do so themselves. Still, Junior nudges and informs his parents that “ [i]f [he] do[esn’t] go now, [he] never will. [He] ha[s] to do it now.” When faced with the decision between living the life one wants or succumbing to another, taking chances is often the only way out. Especially for Junior when telling his parents about his move to Rearden. He understands he must do it sooner than later, or else “he never will”. And if he never leaves, he will be swallowed up by the rez, and spit out as a mindless, hopeless “zombie”. Unfortunately for Junior, the only way to continue living is by leaving his home. He must lose his reputation, friendships, and family all to effectively remove himself from the cycle of passive living. Sometimes, the only way to keep oneself alive is by leaving the thing holding them back, even if it means sacrificing their most valuable relationships.

Through Alexie’s characters in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the origins of passive living can be seen in the reservation on which Junior grows up. The reader is able to observe this disease-like phenomena spread from individual to individual, each time repackaging itself in a new form. Until it finally consumes the person, leaving no option but the extremes to break free from the neverending cycle. Overall, Alexie alludes to the idea that if someone remains in a routine or environment for a sustained amount of time, they will stop living. In turn, becoming a lifeless “zombie”, lacking hope and the characteristics that make life worth living. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is almost like a comedic warning. Exemplifying how easy it is to simply exist and slip into the mold of someone who lives life without a second thought.