Why does Junior Cry on page 216-217

Junior cries on page on 216-217 not only because of his family's deaths (including Eugene), but that he knew more and more of Spokanes would die the next and the year after. "I cried because so many of my fellow tribal members were slowly killing themselves and I wanted them to live."- this quote really shows no hope for the Spokanes. As long as they were still on the "rez" , there hopes and aspirations were slowly becoming less feasible. He cries because of the lack of hope. 

Last Line of the Book

    (We didn't keep score.)-229 Alexie, is the last line of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. This quote is perfect for the situation and a great way to finish out the book. The word "Score' has a connotation that represents rules. The entire book is ruled by stereotypes. These stereotypes imprint all of the native american's lives and do not allow them to escape their social norms. If you look at the quote differently, it also means; let's forget about our grief and pains. Junior has had three recent deaths of his closest friends and families. These have hurt him greatly and he would rather forget them than anything else. 

Q1: Why does Rowdy tell Arnold, “You killed her” (211)? Is there truth to this statement? (Katherine)

Rowdy says that Mary's death was Junior's fault because it was Junior's courage that caused her to run away. On page 211 Junior states, "She had burned to death because I had decided that I wanted to spend my life with white people." (Alexie 211). Junior made the first moves in transferring to Rearden. He realized that there was no hope on the rez, and Mary decided to pursue hope elsewhere as well. It is partially true that Junior killed his sister because she used his plan of leaving the rez. However, there were many more decisions and events that caused Mary's death, such as her choosing to throw the party. Junior was also not the physical reason in Mary's death, it was the fire that killed her. Junior did have some play in Mary's death, but it was certainly not "all his fault".

#1. Why does Rowdy tell Arnold, "You killed her" (211)? Is there truth to this statement? (Philip)

Rowdy is convinced that Arnold "killed" Mary by motivating her to leave the reservation and go somewhere else for a better life. Rowdy thinks this way because, near the beginning of the story, Arnold decides to change schools and go to the Reardan school which is outside the reservation borders. Mary then thinks that Arnold is making the right decision because he was following his dreams. After a few weeks of Arnold being at Reardan, Mary decides to move to Montana with her newly wedded husband seeking a better life. A few months after Mary left, the family receives devastating news that she died from a fire in her home. The family decides to bring her body back to Spokane to be buried inside the reservation borders. While the wake is in progress, Arnold notices Rowdy in the forest and decides to go to him. As soon has he gets to him, Rowdy accuses Arnold of killing Mary,  "You killed her" (211) says Rowdy and Arnold realizes that Rowdy was right. Arnold was the one who encouraged Mary to move away from the reservation, "It was all my fault" (Alexie 211). If he stayed at the reservation, she would not have moved to Montana and would still be alive.

#4 Explain the humor/irony of the title of the chapter, "Rowdy and i had a long and serious discussion about basketball." (Hattie)

I think the irony about this chapter tile is that they barely talk about basketball. The conversation via email consisted of Rowdy saying that the Redskins will beat them next year, then he calls him a "faggot". I think that this conversation might have fixed the two peoples friendship. This is the first time that Rowdy laughed, or email laughed, with Arnold. At the end, Arnold stats "I was a happy faggot"(198), this means that he was happy because Rowdy was finally talking to him. There friendship will never be the same, but there "Long and serious discussion about basketball" might be the start.

#1 What is Arnold's greiving ceremony? What connection do you see between this and the picture on 166?

Arnold has a very complex grieving ceremony that begins with the death of his beloved grandmother when she is hit by a drunk driver. Arnold's first instinct in this incident is anger and hatred towards the man that hit his grandmother, but then at the wake all of that anger turns into immense sadness. The strangest part of his grieving ceremony is when everyone at the wake starts to laugh, they laugh as his grandmother's body is lowered and as they walk home, this is only a cover over their sadness, as shown in the picture on page 166. And after the laughing the news comes in the Eugene is shot in the face by a drunk man and the anger bubbles to the top of arnold again, "I felt helpless and stupid... And I drew and drew and drew cartoons. I was mad at god; I was mad at Jesus. They were mocking me, so I mocked them." (Alexie 171) Arnold is furious with god, and his anger only turns to a cloud of sadness when he goes back to school, and the opposite side of the picture on 166 comes out.

#5 Quotes to note, " I would always be an outsider."(Xavier)

In this story the protagonist Junior believes himself to be an outsider. In this quote, "I would always be an outsider."(Alexie 181) In this quote Junior is talking as the narrator. So he is pretty much talking to us. He says this when he is talking about the success of his basketball team. Also he says this when the Reardan people are starting to compare their team to the great teams of the past. The Reardan people are not comparing him to anyone because there is no one to compare him too. He is that different from everyone else that there is no one in the history of the school like him. The significance is that he will always be different just because he is an Indian. Even if he is a major part of the basketball team the People in Reardan will never treat him the same as other white kids.

#2 Who is the first game against? How is he treated by the crowd at the first game? How does the team (and coach) react/ support him? How does this impact him?( Siyeon)

Arnold’s first basketball game was against the high school in the rez, Wellpinit High School, where Arnold attended before transferring to Reardan.  When Arnold’s basketball team arrived at Wellpinit, Indian kids pelted the bus with snowballs.    The rez basketball fans then chanted “Ar-nold sucks! Ar-lold sucks! Ar-nold sucks!” (Alexie 143)  Arnold probably would have turned around if he did not see his family waiting at the front door.  He understands that his parents had been “pitched just as much crap” as he was and that they were “ready to catch more crap” and “ready to walk through the crap” (Alexi 143) with him.  He was met with “a fricking awesome display of contempt” (Alexi 144) when he entered the gym.  Coach supports and encourages Arnold by saying “if you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry.  But you have to use it.  Use your tears.  Use your pain.  Use your fear.  Get mad, Arnold, get mad.” (Alexie 144).  Arnold ends up with a cut on his forehead during the game because someone threw a quarter at him.  He gets three stitches and goes back to play the second half but his used-to-be-best-friend Rowdy smashes his elbow into Arnold, knocking him unconscious.  Arnold is sent to the hospital and coach visits him.  Arnold and coach have a meaningful discussion about the game and life in general.  Arnold shows his competitive athletic side by saying “I wanted to play.  I wanted to win.” (Alexie 148)  Coach says that he has never met anyone as committed as  Arnold and tells him the perfect quote: “the quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.” (Alexie 148)  They spend the night telling each other many personal stories and grew closer to each other.           

#2 Who is the first game against? How is he treated by the crowd at the first game? How does the team (and coach) react/ support him? How does this impact him? (Siyeon)

Arnold’s first basketball game was against the high school in the rez, Wellpinit High School, where Arnold attended before transferring to Reardan.  When Arnold’s basketball team arrived at Wellpinit, Indian kids pelted the bus with snowballs.    The rez basketball fans then chanted “Ar-nold sucks! Ar-lold sucks! Ar-nold sucks!” (Alexie 143)  Arnold probably would have turned around if he did not see his family waiting at the front door.  He understands that his parents had been “pitched just as much crap” as he was and that they were “ready to catch more crap” and “ready to walk through the crap” (Alexi 143) with him.  He was met with “a fricking awesome display of contempt” (Alexi 144) when he entered the gym.  Coach supports and encourages Arnold by saying “if you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry.  But you have to use it.  Use your tears.  Use your pain.  Use your fear.  Get mad, Arnold, get mad.” (Alexie 144).  Arnold ends up with a cut on his forehead during the game because someone threw a quarter at him.  He gets three stitches and goes back to play the second half but his used-to-be-best-friend Rowdy smashes his elbow into Arnold, knocking him unconscious.  Arnold is sent to the hospital and coach visits him.  Arnold and coach have a meaningful discussion about the game and life in general.  Arnold shows his competitive athletic side by saying “I wanted to play.  I wanted to win.” (Alexie 148)  Coach says that he has never met anyone as committed as  Arnold and tells him the perfect quote: “the quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.” (Alexie 148)  They spend the night telling each other many personal stories and grew closer to each other.           

#3. Summarize the outcome of the game. Why does Junior cry at the end? What does he realize? (Benjamin)

In the Wellpinit against Reardan game, Reardan won but Junior cried at the end because he realized that his team was actually as he said the “Goliath” (Alexie 196) and Wellpinit was the “David” (Alexie 196) and he was also ashamed of all of his anger, rage and pain felt toward Wellpinit. The entire game, Junior had been thinking that Wellpinit was the undefeated enemy and had many emotions of hate towards the community that had rejected him. But afterward, he noticed that by winning he had broken the Wellpinit team’s heart and that they were the troubled team and that had every right to be hating him. He thinks, “I suddenly wanted to apologize to Rowdy, to all of the other Spokanes” (Alexie 196). Junior feels bad for all of the Indians because most of them deserved better and had a terrible home life. He felt ashamed for ever feeling like he needed to prove something by beating them which is why he cried and what he realized after the game.

Summarize the cartoon on 182. What is the significance? What does it show about Junior? What is his dilemma? -Tauryn

This cartoon shows on page 182 the distinctive difference between the respect shown for Arnold at Wellpinit and Reardan. It shows how he was such a big outsider and “traitor” to the fans of Wellpinit because he was moved to a predominately white school and to them was a “white lover”. Different from Reardan, where he is seen as this flashy superstar, being the smartest and fastest on the court. From Reardan he is shown respect for being “different” and from Wellpinit he shown disrespect for being “different”. This cartoon shows that Junior has transitioned from being an “apple” (Alexie 131) to just a regular Indian kid. It shows that those from Wellpinit, who were thought to be his “family” just seemed unfamiliar. Its significance is to show the respect he can receive in a place where he is assumed to be an outsider, like Reardan. Arnold’s dilemma is that he is doesn't fit in anywhere he goes. In both communities he is a "Part-Time Indian" (showing the book's full meaning), not knowing who he is, and struggling to be apart of a "family". He shoves his Indian away when he is at Reardan and when on the Reservation he has to bring it back. When trying to be both races, it is hard to define him self and know who he actually is. Arnold struggling with two sides of race, depicts two lives in this cartoon. 

#1.How did Junior make the basketball team? In what ways was this related to his conversation with his dad earlier?(Kitahna)

           Junior makes the basketball team by running fifty laps around the gym, playing one-on-one  full court with Roger, and most of all knowing his way around the court; this relates to Arnold's conversation that he had with his dad earlier because his dad told him "You have to dream big to get big."(Alexie 136). At first, Arnold doesn't think that he is going to make the Varsity or junior varsity team and  says "I knew I wouldn't make one of those teams."(Alexie 138). He doesn't have enough confidence in himself to even imagine himself being as good as other kids at Reardan. Before Arnold thinks about trying out for the team, he talks to his dad about the situation. His dad basically tells him that if he sets goals for himself and strives to achieve them nothing will be able stop him in life. Arnold then sees that he will definitely try out for the basketball team. He tries to beat Roger, but then realizes that he does not have to be bigger and stronger than Roger. He sees that all he has to do is strategize.  Arnold says "...ready to tackle me like he was a middle linebacker... then I stopped short, about fifteen feet from the hoop, and made a pretty little jump shot."(Alexie 141). That is when Arnold knows that he will surely make the team. He surprises himself with the fact that he is put on the varsity team. Coach tells Arnold that he is "...going to be his WEAPON of MASS DESTRUCTION."(Alexie 142). From then on he develops a special bond with his coach that is somehow unbreakable.

Examine the final sentence on page 132. Is there truth to this statement? What do you notice about the gender roles so far? (Talia)

On page 132 Arnold states, "Yep, even the weird boys are afraid of their emotions." In this snapshot, Gordy and Arnold bond over the fact that weird people still get banished, but the moment gets too sentimental for Gordy. I think that this statement is a very accurate theme in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Tine Indian  and in real life. Gender roles are drastically divergent and apparent in the novel. Girls are much more emotional. The text states, "But Penelope starts crying, talking about how lonely she is, and how everyone thinks her life is perfect because she's pretty and smart and popular, but that she's scared all the time, but nobody will let her be scared because she's pretty and smart and popular," (Alexie 108). Girls are not afraid to break down and cry in front of others and often have a very affectionate friendship. Another example is when Arnold admits that he is in deep poverty. Penelope reacts, "She started to cry. FOR ME!" (Alexie 129). Arnold has a feeling of both shock and happiness when this occurs. He is surprised that she is being so poignant because boys don't have this type of relationship. In contrast, Arnold is very happy to be getting this type of attention for something he was feeling so self conscious about. Boys have a difficult time expressing their feelings, including what happened on page 132. Another example is when Arnold is breaking the news to Rowdy that he will be transferring to Reardan. Arnold wants to tell Rowdy how he feels stating, "I wanted to tell him that he was my best friend and I loved him like crazy, but boy's didn't say such things to other boys, and nobody said such things to Rowdy," (Alexie 49). Rowdy has never known love like Arnold feels towards him and when he realizes he is losing his best friend, his temper takes over. These awkward compassionate relationships are difficult for Arnold since he is so open with his sentimental side.

#3- Junior tells us more about Penelope, and he learns her secret (Julia B.)

On pages 107-109 Junior learns Penelope's secret by overhearing someone [Penelope] puking in the girl's room, then he continues to press on until she comes out of the restroom and has to tell him, because he would've figured it out anyway. She tells him that she's only bulimic when she wants to be, which reminds Junior of his father, who says that he's only a drunk when he drinks- but it's really something that won't go away. I think that he says "... she's scared all the time, but nobody lets her be scared..." (Alexie 108) because she's shown as this strong, popular person who everyone thinks is perfect. The stress might force her into being bulimic, because she wants to be skinny, because that's how people want her to be. When he finds out her secret, he tries to comfort her, then thinks to himself that she's incredibly sexy. He admits that his advice, wasn't the best, "Okay, so its not the wisest advice in the world. It's actually kind of obvious and corny" (Alexie 109). He is overjoyed though when Penelope puts a large amount of trust in him, and decides to be his friend. Penelope's secret was a way for her and Junior to slowly begin being friends.

#2 Who is the first game against? How is he treated by the crowd at the first game?How does the team coach support him(Chloe)

The basketball game impacts junior emotionally because the game was against his old "Rez" school,Wellpinit High School. The morning before the big game Junior was feeling very worried"I vomited four times that day (Alexie 142)." When Junior arrived at the Wellpinit High School, the crowd was yelling.  As Junior walked closer towards the court, he could make out the crowds chants"Arnold sucks (Alexie 143)."  Immediately Junior is frazzled that they are calling him by his Reardan name, not his "rez" name, but he still wanted to play in the game. "You don't need to play this one, " he (coach) said.  Yes, I do, I said (Alexie 143).  Junior wanted to show the crowd that their chants were not affecting him.  When the crowd saw Junior they turned their backs on him.  Junior was mad, but he laughs at that this organization was so ironic. " If these dang Indians had been this organized when I went to school here, maybe I would have had more reasons to stay (Alexie 144).  The "rez" was not organized which is one reason he left and now it seems as it is, making him laugh.  His teammates laughed with him showing Junior that he was supported and part of the Reardon community. However, when Junior goes into the locker room he starts to cry from nerves.  Coach tells Junior to "Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear.  Get mad, Arnold, get mad (Alexie 144).  So Arnold gets mad. During the game, the coach lets him play, showing Junior that he supports him by giving him the opportunity to play against his tribal members.

What does Arnold hide and ultimately reveal in "Dance Dance Dance?" What does he learn? Be sure to discuss the final sentence on pg 132 (Alexandra)

Arnold hides, and ultimately reveals the fact that he is poor in "Dance Dance Dance." He didn't want Penelope, or really anyone, knowing that he is in poverty. Arnold really likes Penelope, and didn't want to lose their relationship just because he is poor. Roger made a big impact in his decision to lie. Roger is very big and popular and Arnold didn't want to be considered "less" then he already was to the other students at Reardan so his first instinct was to fib. Arnold learned that not everyone is racist and will judge him. Roger lent him 40 dollars and Penelope even started crying for him, which really shows how much both of them care. "He (roger) drove me home plenty of other nights too. If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing." (Alexie 129) This quote shows that when Arnold was living on the rez, he was taught that any white person was going to be against him, but that isn't true. Arnold learned a lot from this experience, especially that you don't have to be opposed to everyone you cross paths with.

Question 4- Explain the significance/importance of the friendship with Gordy and Junior (Katherine)

Gordy plays an important role in Junior's life at Rearden. Gordy is a true and honest friend, and he is Junior's only friend at Rearden. Junior feels very alone at Rearden, and Gordy helps him to have another "weird" friend that is loyal to him. Gordy teaches Junior so many new things, and Gordy finds hope in Junior that Rowdy never had for him, "Gordy believed in me. He wouldn't let me give up."(Alexie 94). Gordy opens Junior up to a whole new world of knowledge."He not only tutored me and challenged me, but he made me realize that hard work..is joyous"(Alexie 98). Gordy shows Junior many new ways of thinking and perspectives on life. Gordy assists Junior to discover what he is capable of. Gordy helps Junior to feel that his effort can pay off, and that there is hope for Junior in the world.

Explain the significance/importance of the friendship with Gordy for Junior (Philip)

          Arnold is a native american boy who goes to the Rearden School. Because of his ethnic background, students and teachers think he is not as bright as the others. For example, in science class, when Mr. Dodge was teaching the class about petrified wood, Arnold raised his hand to contradict what Mr. Dodge had been teaching for a long time. Mr Dodge got really mad at him. At that point, Gordy, the genius of the class interfered and told the teacher that Arnold was right. Arnold then realized that  maybe he should be friends with Gordy since he was the only one who stood up for him infront of the whole class. Unfortunately, when he went over to thank Gordy, he realized that Gordy did not do this for him  but that he did it "for science" (Alexie 87). The next day, Arnold asked Gordy if he wanted to be his friend. Gordy agreed and started teaching Arnold how to read, and how to study. All of this meant a lot to Arnold because he finally found a friend at the Rearden School.  He also found someone he can rely on for support if and when he is ever doubted in class by the teacher or the students. This friendship is also important to Arnold because it helps him build self confidence and share his knowledge with more ease. 

Name/explain three issues/hurdles Junior encounters in his transition to Reardon. (Siyeon)

Arnold, the protagonist, goes through a lot of hardships throughout the story by transitioning to Reardon. Reardon is a school that is located twenty- two miles away from his reservation and Arnold thinks that all the kids that goes there are better than him saying“(Alexie 50) They were beautiful and smart and epic. They were filled with hope.” The first issue,friendship, that he goes through is he tells Rowdy that he in transferring school. Arnold and Rowdy’s friendship ended “ My best friend had become my worst enemy”.(Alexie 53) Also, Arnold walks into school with confident, but as he enters his classroom he gets laughed by his name, Junior. Also, he encounters the rules that he memorized saying “ I knew those rules. I’d memorized those rules. I’d live my life by those rules.”(Alexie 62) Arnold gets into a fistfight. There are a lot more things but but these three are the major issues that Arnold encounters

#4Name/explain three issues/hurdles junior encounters in his transition to Reardon.(Xavier Marcoux)

In the book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie the protagonist Junior faces many racial and physical hurdles while transitioning to Reardan. One of the major hurdles he faces is telling his best friend Rowdy who, who has severe anger management problems, that he is transferring schools. As Sherman states," For the first time he saw that I was serious, but he didn't want me to be,"(Alexie 49). This shows that Rowdy really does not want Junior to leave the rez. Later Rowdy beats up Junior. Another is the racial harassment he gets at the school. Sherman states," So what was I doing in racist Reardan."(Alexie  53) Right above this line is the picture of the Reardan mascot which was a red Indian. As it states he asks himself what he was doing at such a racist school. Also the rules about fighting are very different than on the rez. As Roger states," You're an animal,"(Alexie 62) This quote shows that at Reardan it was not okay to fight as oppose to on the rez they fought to show respect to their families. Juniors transition to a new school was way harder than mine was.

Question #5, Respond to one of the quotes to note. "My best friend had become my worst enemy" (Deven)

In the quote (51 Alexie) "My best friend had become my worst enemy" Junior has parted and become enemies with Rowdy. The person stating this quote is Junior (Arnold), and the interlocuter is Rowdy. Junior is saying this because hew has been together, friends with Rowdy for so long that once the friendship broke, he could not repair it, or even be regular friends with rowdy. (49 Alexie) My heart broke into fourteen pieces , one for each year that Rowdy and I had been best friends." At this moment he is realizing that it's over, done, finished, Rowdy now hates him. As Junior reflects each year or "piece" of his life he can't even look into the future because there is no Rowdy in the future like there had been every other part of his life. He had just lost a friend of his past looking for a new future.  

#3 Why is junior hesitant to tell Rowdy? Why does he tell him? How does Rowdy react? Why does he react this way? (Aidan Klein)

In the question, Why is junior hesitant to tell Rowdy there are a few answers but I think that the main reason is because Rowdy starts to get mad at him "You better quit saying that,... You're getting me mad." (Alexie 49). The reason that junior tells Rowdy that he is going to Reardan is because junior and Rowdy have been best friends since they were kids and junior doesn't want any of that to change just because he is going to try and get a better future somewhere else. Rowdy at first thinks that junior is joking but then realizing that junior is not joking he starts to cry, Rowdy is tough and hates to cry as if not crying will keep his bad-boy reputation intact, that sadness turns into ferocious anger towards junior so as soon as junior touches him Rowdy punches him and leaves him sobbing in the ground, "I touched his shoulder again and Rowdy flinched.... I was the kind of idiot that got punched hard in the face by his best friend. Bang! Rowdy punched me. Bang! I hit the ground. Bang! My nose bled like a firework."(Alexie 52).

#1. Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the quote "We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child". (Kitahna)

             The significance of the quote "We  were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child."(Alexie 35) is not necessarily to kill "Indians", but to kill/strip them of their culture.People around Mr.P's time didn't like the Indians or anything about their culture. They wanted to destroy their heritage. In the quote "...no, it's just a saying....We were supposed to make you give up being Indian."(Alexie 35) Mr.P explains that he was basically obligated to try and demolish the backgrounds of Indian children and turn the child  "behind the Indian" into a "normal" one. Teachers beat the culture out of children and believed that it was for a good reason. In the long run, was it really worth abolishing their culture that was inherited from past generations?  In this quote said by Mr.P it states, "But I can apologize to you."(Alexie 35). This quote shows Mr.P's remorse for his wrong-doings towards Indians and their culture and also his wanting to use Arnold as a representation for all Indians. He has been searching for a student like Arnold who he knows won't give up on himself. Mr.P wants the best for Arnold and doesn't want to see him fail. He has seen too many people go from inspirational dreamers to alcoholics. Mr.P knows that if Arnold stays in the Spokane reservation  any longer he will end up like every other person who has started out trying and ended up failing because of their surroundings.

#1 Interpret/explain/explore the context and the significance of the quote "We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child" (35) (Hattie)

When Alexie says that "We were to kill the Indian to save the child"(Alexie 35) he was saying that they the teachers were all trying to break the spirit of the kids and their culture. Mr. P says that everyone in the rez is killed and has their dreams crushed and that when he was being trained to be a teacher, he was to do the same. "I hurt a lot of Indian kids when I was a young teacher,"(Alexie 35) This quote shows that Mr. P was trained to break the spirits of the kids, and their bodies. They were trying to "save" the kids by making them disciplined and break their traditions of songs and dancing and stories. I think it was wrong that Mr.P tried to break Indian kids because there is nothing wrong with who there are.

#4 Responding to one of the quotes to note. Identify, speaker, interlocuctor, context and signifigance.

I am responding to the quote “My sister is running away to get lost, I am running away because I want to find something.” (46 Alexie) In this quote the speaker is Junior expressing his burden of despair, disappointment and hope to the interlocutors, his reader. As expressed in this quote “ You’re going to find more and more hope the farther and farther you walk from this sad, sad, sad reservation.” (43 Alexie) This quote is by Mr. P telling Junior that what he wants to find is success away from the disappointing reservation. In the quote “I want to go to Reardan.” (45 Alexie) This quote shows that Junior is looking for a better life, at a prosperous, rich school unlike his sister who throws all her hopes and dreams into the basement. He wants something other than the visuals of cement walls; he wants something better than drunken nights at the reservation. “I had to add my hope to someone else’s hope. I had to multiply my hope by hope.” (43 Alexie). This quote shows that Junior wants to find the answer to hope multiplied by hope, away from the reservation. Junior wants to find something successful outside of the depressing reservation, avoiding the depressing basement walls.

Question 2 What is Mr. P's advice to Junior? Why does he give this advice?(Benjamin)

Mr. P’s tells Junior to leave the reservation so that he doesn’t give up hope and so that he can accomplish his dreams. He thinks that if Junior stays then he will become like his sister and fade away. While explaining to Junior, he says, “You can’t give up. You won’t give up. You threw that book in my face because somewhere inside you refuse to give up” (Alexie 43). He believes that there is hope for Junior and wants to help his future. Unlike all of the other people on the reservation who gave up ages ago, Junior still has fight in him. Mr. P is different than other adults and is so motivated to help because he has to watch Indians grow up with hopes and dreams but suddenly give up when they see that their dreams are impossible and unrealistic. This is why he is one of the few adults that wants to create a hopeful future and life for Junior. Mr. P has the willpower and kindness to attempt to push Junior to have a better future because he too hasn’t given up. 

#3 Why does Junior say "it sucks to be poor..." (13)? What does "poverty teach you (13)"? Explain. (Talia)

Arnold lives in deep poverty which rules his everyday life. Arnold claims that, "it sucks to be poor" (Alexie 13). Junior's family has difficulty providing him with basic necessities such as health care and food. How can someone learn if their stomach is empty (Alexie 8)? Their lack of resources results in having to kill the family dog because they don't have the money to take Oscar to the doctor. His parents want to be able to cater to Arnold's every need and it deeply pains them that they are not able to produce a heavy income in order to give Arnold that happy life he deserves. The text states, "Dad just looked down at me with the saddest look in his eyes. He was crying. He looked weak." They too had to give up their dreams because of responsibility and economical issues (Alexie 11). Arnold is trapped in a vicious circle with what feels like no escape. Poverty is beginning to teach Arnold that he deserves his lack of luck. He feels that he has been put in this situation just because of his race and the stereotypes that come with being an Indian. The text states, "It's an ugly circle and there's nothing you can do about it," (Alexie 13). Arnold doesn't get the same opportunities that the higher class has, he is trapped just like his parents, grandparents, and great grandparents before him (Alexie 11). All that poverty teaches you is that you are poor and that you can have no aspirations. Poverty just teaches you to give up. Hopefully, Arnold has the motivation to overcome his situation and achieve his dreams in becoming a cartoonist. What do you think? Can Arnold rise above the low expectation set for him?

#4 What is "absolutely the saddest thing in the world" (31)? Explain why Junior says this and the implication. (Alexandra)

The absolutely saddest thing in the world is that Juniors family can't afford to take Oscar to the vet. Oscar was Juniors best-friend, "he was the only living thing I could depend on." (pg. 9 Alexie)  I think that they could relate a lot because Oscar was found alone on the streets, homeless. Even though Junior isn't homeless he could relate because he is very poor. On the rez pets are apparently not valued as much as bullets and amo. You can buy a bullet for 2 cents but it costs a fortune to cure an animal, "a bullet only costs about 2 cents, and anyone can afford that." (pg. 13. Alexie)  Junior is an outcast but Oscar had a significant impact on Junior and his life at home. Even though Oscar was very sick and struggled to stay alive, Junior didn't want to let him go. But when he realized how much pain Oscar  would be relieved from he was willing to give him up for the better. Even now, the saddest thing in the world, was that Junior couldn't save his best friend.

Question 2- The Relationship Between Poverty and Dreams for Junior's Parents (Julia Bingel)

The relationship between poverty and dreams for Junior's parents is that they didn't have the opportunity to do what they wanted because they were poor. Junior's mother wanted to be a teacher or a professor at the college, or any school, but she couldn't afford to go to college, so she didn't have her chance to do what she wanted. She always read books that she could get her hands on, but the knowledge never took her anywhere. She never got to put her amazing knowledge into action. Junior's father wanted to be a musician. He could play many instruments, and he kept a saxophone safe, and untouched like he would join a band any day. If he had the opportunity to leave, and to join a band or start a solo career, he would be so happy, but instead he was not able to leave Spokane. He had to stay with his family, and keep them living a healthy lifestyle, even if it was at the very worst it could be. I think that what Junior is trying to say is that his parents, alike other people, couldn't have their dreams because of their poverty, and the relationship is that they can only be achieved if you have a high lifestyle.

#5 Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify speaker, interlocutor ,context,and significance(Chloe)

I am responding to the quote “I draw because words are too predictable. I draw because words are too limited.”(pg.5 Alexie)This quote is significant because Junior is letting the reader know that drawing is an easier way to communicate than speaking. Before this, Junior tells us that he has speech impediments and he stutters and has a lisp.These impediments make him part of the “Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club”( pg.4 Alexie) because he gets beaten up and called a “ Retard” by the  belligerent older kids on the rez. Junior feels it is vital for him to stay at home to be safe from the other kids. Junior tells us that he spends his time drawing,  “I draw all the time”(pg.5 Alexie) and drawing is easier than speaking “I draw because words are too predictable. I draw because words are too limited.”(pg.5 Alexie) Through his drawings he can show us more detail than when he speaks. It is easier for him to get the words out on paper than by talking. His speech impediments slow him down and people and can not understand him, however Junior says ”..when you draw a picture everyone one can understand it” (pg.5 Alexie).

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