Eugene Character Analysis in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Dad’s best friend, who drinks constantly, rides a motorcycle, and works as an EMT for the tribal clinic. Junior implies that although Eugene is a happy drunk, he’s also deeply sad. Eugene encourages Junior when he transfers to the Reardan school and always tells him “You can do it!” whenever he’s playing any kind of game. Just after Grandmother dies, Eugene is also shot and killed in a drunken fight with his friend Bobby, who doesn’t realize what he’s done.

Eugene Quotes in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian quotes below are all either spoken by Eugene or refer to Eugene. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Identity, Belonging, and Coming-of-Age Theme Icon

I would always love Rowdy. And I would always miss him, too. Just as I would always love and miss my grandmother, my big sister, and Eugene.
Just as I would always love and miss my reservation and my tribe.
I hoped and prayed that they would someday forgive me for leaving them.
I hoped and prayed that I would someday forgive myself for leaving them.

Related Characters: Junior (Arnold Spirit, Jr.) (speaker), Rowdy, Mary Runs Away, Grandmother Spirit, Eugene

Page Number and Citation: 230

Explanation and Analysis:

Eugene Character Timeline in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The timeline below shows where the character Eugene appears in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...car to drive him, Junior gets a ride to school from his dad’s best friend Eugene, who rides a motorcycle. When they arrive at school on the motorcycle—to the amazed stares... (full context)

Racism, Poverty, and Alcoholism Theme Icon

Confessions, Revenge, and Forgiveness Theme Icon

...fight. “My whole life is a fight,” he adds. Instead, Roger acts cordial and compliments Eugene’s bike, an act of respect that makes Junior feel “almost like a human being.” (full context)

...a quarter at him, cutting his forehead and drawing blood so that he can’t play. Eugene, who is an EMT for the tribal clinic, comes to take a look. Eugene mentions... (full context)

...to shoot, giving him a concussion. While Junior, unconscious, is driven to the hospital in Eugene’s ambulance, the Reardan players get into a shoving match with the Wellpinit players—and fans—and the... (full context)

...homemade Valentine (and she said she forgot it was Valentine’s Day), my dad’s best friend, Eugene, was shot in the face in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven in Spokane.” (full context)

Eugene was shot by his good friend Bobby during a drunken argument, which the police think... (full context)

...isn’t sure he can do it, but Coach tells him he can—which reminds Junior of Eugene, a happy drunk who used to shout “Junior, you can do it!” from the stands... (full context)

...to the cemetery with his mom and dad to clean the graves of Grandmother Spirit, Eugene, and Mary. They make it a day of celebration, with a picnic and Dad’s saxophone.... (full context)

Drawing, Writing, and Junior’s Cartoons Theme Icon

...will always love and miss Rowdy, just as he will always miss his grandmother, Mary, Eugene, his reservation, and his tribe. He hopes and prays that they will one day forgive... (full context)