Leading a Double Life?

In the novel, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”, by Sherman Alexie the main character, Arnold “Junior” Spirit leaves the reservation school to attend an all white school twenty miles away. 

"Junior"

On the “rez” he has always been known as Junior. His whole life has been spent in a very tight community wherein he has frequently been seen as someone with deficiencies and medical issues. 

Going to a new school opened up the opportunity for Junior to become his own person.   At his new school, he is using his birth name, Arnold. He quotes in the book that he “felt like two different people inside of one body”. It is as if he has a double life, one which honors the traditions and way of being on the reservation and the other is where he can become the person he wants to be rather than what is being dictated by his circumstances.   In my opinion, he is beginning to identify with the individual, capable and confident part of himself (Arnold) that he feels he can only be when he is not on the reservation.  

 

"Arnold"

My Six Word Memoir

BE PRESENT . BE AUTHENTIC . SHINE BRIGHT



Hope or No Hope? That is the Question.

This cartoon is on page 43 in the novel, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.   This was the first drawing that Arnold drew after having a conversation with his geometry teacher, Mr. P.  The drawing illustrates his very first notion that leaving the reservation was even an option.  The idea of hope being a possibility for him or his people never occurred to him.  This cartoon depicts him standing at the “crossroads”.  One direction is the familiar, yet unbearable reality of staying on the reservation for the rest of his life.   The other direction, which he is facing, is the idea of hope.  There are several question marks on the lower arrow.  They appear to relate to Arnold’s inability, at that moment, to even visualize what hope looks or feels like.  The cartoon makes it really clear that the reservation is a place where hope will never exist.   

I chose this cartoon because I love it when I or someone I know has an epiphany.I believe Arnold had an epiphany as a result of the conversation with his teacher and that is what this cartoon represents. 

Sex Sells Baby!

In this ad, a very beautiful, stylish and sexy Madonna is washing the dishes and talking to someone.  It is not clear exactly what product she is promoting (I’m assuming it’s the dress), but it is intriguing.  In my opinion the ad could be successful simply because Madonna, the music icon is in it!   

She appears to be way overdressed for doing all of these dishes.  The ad seems to portray the idea of sexy no matter where you are, even doing housework!  It’s as if what ever they are selling will make you glamorous. 

If Dolce and Gabbana was not plastered across the bottom of this ad, I would not have a clue who was selling what!

If I was leafing through a magazine I might stop and read the ad.  I find Madonna intriguing and for goodness sake, she looks amazing! 

As far as D&G’s reputation as a creator of controversial or sexist ads, I’m not sure that is what I’m getting from this specific ad.  To me it speaks more to the fact that we all sleep, cook, eat, go to the bathroom and do dishes!  Why not look amazing all the while.  It also says that this powerhouse of a celebrity is just like us and perhaps we can be more like her.  I suppose this ad can also be portrayed as sexist.  The fact that the ad is in black and white and has Madonna wearing a leopard print dress could be retro.  It could be revisiting an era where “women belong in the kitchen” and should look good for their man at all times.

The next ad I analyzed is for Stolichnaya Flavored Russian Vodka.  I couldn’t find the image online and finally gave up looking! 

This ad portrays two women sitting at the bar with their cocktails...which I assume are flavored vodka drinks.  One woman is blonde and one is brunette, which implies “different flavors”, as the vodka maker is offering.  

The target audience for this particular ad, most likely are men (and possibly some women), probably from their mid 20’s to late 30’s.  I would expect to see this advertisement in men’s magazines like Maxim or Playboy.  I think the ad is effective in its promotion of perhaps an “alternative” lifestyle and how serving flavored vodka could aid in the possibility of making it happen. 

The women in the ad have a look on their face as if they’ve got a little secret that they’d like to share.  The look also presumes that the secret is something they want to show whoever they are looking at.  The implied lifestyle is that of an alternative sexual lifestyle.  The ad appears to promise that if you are interested in this type of lifestyle, that this vodka will help you to have it, because variety is always good. 

The text below the picture; “To variety.  If you don’t experiment, how will you know what you like?”, says to me that variety is the spice of life, in all aspects!  I think this text is directed to the reader and the picture serves as a visual aid showing the reader what is possible.  I presume the reader to be male for the most part.