Why does Arnold draw? What is the power of creative expression?

John
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part–Time Indian
5.12.13

Why does Arnold draw? What is the power of creative expression?

Arnold is bullied in school. Due to brain damage when he was a child, he now is deformed and mentally challenged, especially when it comes to words. Arnold has a lisp and he stutters, which does not help him socially. Despite his speaking disadvantage, he expressed how drawing pictures is his strength. Arnold believes speech is often is too unpredictable and too limiting. However, with images, he noticed that it allows for the world to universally comprehend while looking at the same thing: "If I draw a cartoon of a flower, then every man, woman, and child in the world can look at it and say, 'That's a flower' (pg. 5)." He also feels that drawing allows for the ability to escape reality, in a sense, and can resemble something bigger in life. He astutely observed how many famous people in the modern day are all artists themselves, including painters, but also singers, actors, and directors. Arnold believes that imagery can help the world.

In conclusion, though Arnold recognizes that his unusual speech pattern can hurt how he is treated in school, he also noticed the power of the talents he does have. He has picked up how visuals can help humans with communicating and can allow them to creatively express their feelings, similar to therapy. 

Though his brain is damaged and is consistently thrown under the bus, Arnold has stayed strong, and remains confident his power of drawing.