THE IDENTITY CONFUSION OF ARNOLD SPIRIT JR. AS A MINORITY ADOLESCENT DEPICTED IN ALEXIE’S THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN: A PSYCHOSOCIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This research aims to reveal the factors which cause identity confusion of the main character of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian on the fifth stage of psychosocial development. To answer the objective, this research employs the psychosocial theory by Erikson. The resesarcher applied a qualitative research method with content analysis technique. The source of the data of this research was taken from Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The researcher finds that on the fifth stage of psychosocial development, the main character is experiencing identity confusion. The researcher, based on Erikson psychosocial development theory i.e. Identity vs Identity Confusion reveals that there are three factors which causes the main character to face identity confusion: unsupportive family, discriminative school peers and teachers, and abusive neighborhood. The three factors affect his personality in his quest of identity for it can be seen that the main character feeling rejected and feeling lost about where he belongs.

 Keywords: identity confusion, minority, adolescence, psychosocial development, Erikson, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian