Question

Select the correct answer.

What theme is the author developing when Junior says, "I felt like a magician slicing myself in half"?
A.
A person's identity is tied most strongly to his or her actions.
B.
A person's identity can be different in different social situations.
C.
No one is satisfied with the name he or she is given at birth.
D.
The young are forever at the mercy of those older than them.

Answer 1

B. A person's identity can be different in different social situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The semi-autobiographical novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie tells the story of a young budding cartoonist Junior. Junior grew up in the Spokane Indian Reservation but had to attend an all-white school to pursue his dream.

As given in the excerpt, Junior reveals he "felt like a magician slicing myself in half", with "Junior living on the north side of the Spokane River and Arnold living on the south." His dilemma is in the split identity he had to maintain, inside and outside of the school. This follows the theme of how a person's identity can be different for different situations.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.