#4. Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line in the book(230)

The significance of the quote "We didn't keep score." (Alexie, 230) is that it didn't matter, who won or who lost, it mattered that their friendship had survived. Even through all the obstacles as well as thrived the moments of joy.  Rowdy finally comes back at the end of the school year saying I know your moving away from the reservation, but as long as we maintain our friendship, it’s all right. As he states, "I always knew you were going to leave. ... I had this dream about you a few months ago. ... You looked happy. And I was happy for you." (Alexie, 229). Rowdy is finally accepting that Junior left the reservation and that he's happy in Reardan and that's fine. Junior had been waiting for this moment ever since he left the reservation, this moment of understanding as well as their friendship being mended. The last line of the book shows how a good friendship will withhold and stay strong through anything. 

Why does Junior cry on pages 216 and 217? (Question #2) (Huck)

On pages 216 and 217, Junior cries for three reasons. First of all, he cries for his sister. Knowing she could not stay in their basement forever, she suddenly moved to Montana and got married partly because Junior had “kind of shamed her” (Alexie 89) into doing it. She had realized that by staying at home, her future was set. When she ventured outside in search of better places to live and things to do, she was unlucky and died rather quickly after. Junior also cries for his tribe. He knows that they have little hope for their future, and “most of them would die because of booze” (Alexie 216). Finally, Junior cries for himself. He knows that in the end, his attempt to change his future would possibly “kill (him), too, but (he) knew that staying on the rez would have killed (him), too” (Alexie 216). He may feel guilty as well, knowing he had succeeded where others had failed. Junior’s sister’s death was a way for Junior to realize his luck so far in this attempt.

Question 1 - Why does Rowdy tell Arnold, “You killed her” (211)? Is there truth to this statement? (Sam Theodore)

On page 211, Rowdy tells Arnold that Arnold killed Mary. In the middle of Mary's funeral, Junior runs off into the woods and bumps into a crying Rowdy. He had been lurking in the woods watching the funeral when Arnold bumped into him. As soon as Arnold sees him crying, and mentions it, he starts to laugh, which triggers Rowdy's emotions. He protests furiously as Arnold touches his shoulder and tries to punch Junior but misses. In the heat of all this, because Rowdy is so angry, he claims that Junior killed his sister. He accuses him of this because of his transferring to Reardan. Because Rowdy was so angry at Junior for leaving, he pinned Mary's death on him. And the reason of the death you ask; because he went to Rearden. There is really no truth to what he said, although Junior believed it, because it isn't true. It was not his decision for Mary to leave, although Rowdy claims his transferring to Reardan was the cause. It was not his fault she got married, became drunk, and threw a party which led to a fire, even though Rowdy accused him of it. With all of the new gaps in his life, he appointed the blame to himself to make himself feel better. The viewers and him take the news differently.   

Question #3

 

                In the game that Rearden plays against Wellpinit, Rearden wins by about forty points. In the beginning of the game Arnold tells a news reporter “The thing is, the best player on Wellpinit, Rowdy, he used to be my best friend. And now he hates me. He gave me a concussion that first game. And now I want to destroy him.” (Alexie, 185). Junior keeps this mentality because after months of being hated and (metaphorically) punched by the rez, he wanted to (metaphorically) punch back. He keeps thinking this until the end of the game. When he looks over and in that moment realizes that he himself was taking it too far. At the end of the game he went to go cry because he had been so mean.

Question 2: Summarize the cartoon on 182. What is the significance? What does this show about Junior? What is his dilemma? (Anna)

The cartoon on page 182 shows how Arnold is seen as a traitor at Wellpinit, and an angel at Reardan. The drawing shows Arnold playing basketball at the Rez gym with the crowd calling him a "white lover", and dressed as a devil. On the other side, Arnold is an angel who is getting cheered on by his Reardan teammates. This shows that in Junior's mind, he sees himself as a traitor to his old school. He sees himself getting praised at Reardan, his new team; and dishonored by Wellpinit, his hometown team. Arnold can't even figure out his emotions towards this dilemma. He says, "A basketball game...can be the difference between being happy and being miserable for the rest of my life." (Alexie 184). Arnold will feel joyous if his team wins, but ashamed for crushing his own former school mates. This dilemma will affect Arnold and make him feel like a traitor, which is exactly what Arnold conveys through his cartoon.

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

At the end of the game, the Varsity team from Reardan had won the game against "Redskins" from Wellpinit, and he began to cry. At the beginning of the game, Arnold was uncertain if he had the skill to lead their team to victory, as the coach appointed him the secret weapon. In addition, he kept supporting him by telling Arnold that "you can do it" (Alexie 189). Although Rowdy, his ex-best friend who was twice his size, was defending him, Arnold managed to get the basketball out of his hands. The text says, "I rose above him as he tried to dunk it. I TOOK THE BALL RIGHT OUT OF HIS HANDS!" (Alexie 192). This boosted his self-confidence because later not only did Arnold prevent him from shooting, he also managed to shoot a basket; as a result "the gym exploded" (Alexie 193). In the end, Reardan had won with about a 40 point difference. Afterwards, however, he started to cry, "tears of shame" (Alexie 196) because he felt guilty that they had won. The book says, “I was suddenly so ashamed that I’d wanted so badly to take revenge on them” (Alexie 196). He had realized how unfortunate the Indians were compared to the whites. The book says, "The guys on our team had mothers and fathers who had good jobs...I knew that two or three of those Indians might have not had breakfast...live with drunken parents...none of them was going to college" (Alexie 195).  Even though, he mustered up enough courage to play against Wellpinit again, he learns that winning is not the only thing that matters.

#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? (Nolan)

     Junior's first game is against his former school Wellpinit High School. All of the fans at the game treat Jr.awfully, chanting, "Ar-nold sucks!"(Alexie 143). Arnold is really rattled after hearing this betrayal from his old school, but perseveres and plays in the game. When Arnold walks onto the basketball court, everybody turns their backs, but Rowdy. The coach supports Arnold when he is sad about his old school turning their backs on him by saying, "Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad, Arnold, get mad" (coach 144). This impacts Arnold because it makes him want to play, it makes him want to beat his old team, beat his bestfriend. Arnold did what his coach said to do and brought his anger to the court, he ran on to the court, but was struck in the head with a quarter that drew blood. This angered Arnold even more. Eugene wanted Arnolds night to be over, but he wouldn't let a little scar do that. Those words from Arnolds coach brought some pride into his heart,  made him want to show his old school what he can do. Although Arnold's team doesn't end up winning, Arnold was a winner. He got enough courage to go and play against a whole school chanting at him. Arnold beat his old school Wellpinit in pride, just with the action of stepping on the court.

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

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

          Arnold is being brutalized by the opposing team but when he decides to play his teammates and coach soon realize what he is doing is braze. Arnold is ecstatic that he made the varsity team but soon realizes his first game is against his own people. When he arrives to Wellpinit High School (his old school) for his first game he is cursed out, called a traitor and brutalized by the opposing students in hopes to make him quit. This is because of his transfer to Rearden. No, this only made him stronger “You don’t have to play if you dont want to,” coach said. “Yes I do,” I said” (Alexie 143). Junior’s Idea was respected by his teammates and coach, and thought of as brave. Soon after that he was injured but decided to come back with some advice previously given by his coach, “If you care about something its going to make you cry. But you have to use it... Get mad Arnold” (Alexie 144). Arnold used this advice and played his heart out until he was elbowed in the head and put in the hospital. Even though nothing came out good from this experience Arnold still tried his best even when everyone was cheering against him.

In “Red Versus White” what does Junior realize about parents? What is the irony? (Eliza)

        In the chapter "Red Versus White", Junior realizes that "the worst thing that a parent can do is to ignore their children" (Alexie 153). Junior has made friends at Reardan, but has never met their parents, which was unusual for him. He explains, "On the rez... everybody knows everybody" (Alexie 153). Many Reardan parents do not go to their children's sports games, carnivals, or plays. Junior has also figured out how great parents do their parenting. He has realized that his parents were great, because they listen to him, make sacrifices for him, and talk to him. The ironic thing is that although Reardan is a small town, many people are strangers to each other, while on the big rez, people know everything about everyone.

#1. What does Arnold hide and ultimately reveal in "Dance Dance Dance?" What does he learn? Be sure to discuss the final sentence on on page 129. (Nilu Cooper)

     In the chapter "Dance Dance Dance" Arnold finally reveals that he is poor. He is surprised when his friends are still supportive and nice to him after they find out, as he describes on page 129.  When Arnold tells Penelope that he is poor and that he does not have rides back from school she bursts into tears. Then, she tells her friend Roger, who kindly agrees to drive Arnold home that night, and many nights after that. This is why Arnold says "If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing." (Alexie 129).  Arnold "let people into his life" by telling his friends the truth and they were "pretty damn amazing" because they were kind, understanding and caring in return. This teaches him that he has real friends who care about him no matter what. I think it also helped Arnold trust them more than he did before. His friends made Arnold feel loved even though he was different from them.

(#3) On pages 82-84, Junior explains how alone he feels. Why does he feel this way? How does what happens in science class reinforce this feeling? (Huck Stepanyants)

 

Going to school on the rez, Junior was not exactly happy. He was forced to endure regular fistfights with some of the other kids, and although he was of the same race as his classmates, they still considered him “different” with his disabilities and appearance. There were some good things about his old school, however, such as his best friend, Rowdy, and the fact that it was close to home. As the narrator (Junior) says in the book, “Nobody would miss me if I was gone. Well, Rowdy would miss me …” (Alexie 16). At his new school, he is also thought of as “different” by both his peers and teachers, with the exception of a few people. This could get better later on, such as the case with Roger. Over all, the new school does not seem to be as bad as the rez school, although it may be a bit duller. This new school makes him feel alone, without his best friend. In science class, his teacher, Mr. Dodge, tells him sarcastically, “Yes, we all know there is so much amazing science on the reservation” (Alexie 85), insulting both him and his home. This causes some of the other students to laugh and point fingers at him, making him feel inferior. It is hard to say whether the new school or the old school is better for Junior.

Blogging #5 (says #4) Question #5: What does Arnold hide and ultimately reveal in "Dance, Dance, Dance?" What does he learn? Be sure to discuss the final sentence on page 129. (Max Ambris)

   In “Dance, Dance, Dance,” Arnold hides the fact that he and his family are poor. He thinks that nobody will like him anymore and that Penelope will break up with him. His fears cause him to lie about every thing and create excuses for why he didn’t have money. His excuses cartoon has some good examples of this, like: “No lunch money? I’m not hungry anyway,”(Alexie 120). He eventually learns that the truth is best and he should let people know who he really is. After Arnold learns this, he says, “If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing,”(Alexie 129). This quote shows that he now knows the people who he thought were going to dislike him for being poor became even better friends to him after he opened up. He realizes that people will feel sympathy rather than exclude him.

#3 Junior tells us more about Penelope, and he learns her secret. Explain this situation and why he says "...she's scared all the time but no one will let her be scared...". (108)

After hearing Penelope vomiting in the bathroom, Junior learns her secret. She is bulimic. He explains, "...Shes scared all the time, but nobody will let her be scared..."(Alexie 108). Penelope tells Junior this because she feels so much pressure to be perfect. Everyone at Reardan thinks she must have this perfect life because she is popular, smart and gorgeous. Penelope feels so much pressure to be that perfect girl even if sometimes she wants to let out her feelings and step outside her comfort zone. People think she has so many friends but really what she expresses to Junior a different side, "Penelope starts crying, talking about how lonely she is..." (Alexie 108). Even though she is so popular she does not have many true friends and feels as if she must always be perfect to please everyone else. And by being perfect she thinks she must be skinny, which in her mind is being gorgeous. Nobody will let her be herself because they have an expectation of her which she thinks she must be.

Question 4: Explain the significance/importance of the friendship with Gordy for Junior

Ceci* Velander
11/4/13
English 7-4



The Significance and Importance of the Friendship With Gordy For Junior


Junior's friendship with Gordy is very significant and important because Gordy won't let Junior give up, Gordy gives Junior hope, hope that makes him feel that he has some significance, and that he’s not alone.  Gordy gives Junior the one thing he came to Reardan for hope. Gordy believes in Junior as stated "Gordy believed in me. He wouldn't let me give up." (Alexie, 94). Gordy helps Junior believe in himself, he gives Junior something to push him through all the hard times knowing there will be good at the end. This hope that Gordy generates is what Mr. P wanted Junior to leave the "rez" for. Their friendship also helps Junior not feel so alone as the text states. "I was lonely and sad and isolated and terrified. Just like Gordy." (Alexie, 94). This helps Junior realize that he's not all alone, that there's someone else out there that he can relate to. The significance and importance of Gordy and Junior's friendship is hope, the hope they share. 

Question #3- On pages 82-84 Junior explains how alone he feels. Why does he feel this way? How does what happens in science class reinforce this feeling? (Sam Theodore)

Junior felt alone walking through the hallway because he finally came to the realization that he did not have any friends and that no one liked him. After his “fight” with his best friend, Rowdy, he had no one to turn to and no one by his side. Every white student and teacher at Reardan ignored him and it seemed like no one even knew that he was there. He felt like a “Zombie” (Alexie 82). A great example of being ignored was during science class with Mr. Dodge. The class was talking about petrified wood. Junior raised his hand and nervously pointed out to Mr. Dodge that petrified wood is not actually wood. Mr. Dodge was surprised by this Indian boy who had the nerve to correct him. Of course, almost immediately, he started to question what he said. He even made fun of him by saying, “Where did you learn this fact? On the reservation? Yes, we all know there’s so much amazing science on the reservation.” (Alexie 85). As the whole class laughed at him, he started to feel the loneliness once again, but only until Gordy chimed in. Everyone knew that whatever Gordy said would be right. So when Gordy corrected Mr. Dodge and agreed with Junior, Junior felt like someone was finally sticking up for him. That sense of gratitude vanished quickly after he thanked Gordy for sticking up for him. Gordy then said, "I didn't do it for you, I did it for science." (Alexie 87). It seems that everyone is just toying with his emotions.

Question #1: Interpret /explore / explain the context and the significance of the quote "I don't know if hope is white. But I do know that hope for me is like some mythical creature" (51). - Anna Soloshenko

When Junior says, "I don't know if hope is white. But I do know that hope for me is like a mythical creature" (Alexie 51), he is talking about how he wants hope, but can't have it. Junior's family is poor and lives in a very bad neighborhood. People on the reservation don't have good schools, always get into fights, and maintain an unsafe environment. Junior has always wanted to have hope, to have a future, to live a fulfilling life, but so far, hope has been unreachable. He then got the idea that kids from Reardan have everything. Arnold says, "They were beautiful and smart and epic. They were filled with hope." (Alexie 50). When he sees the children that go to Reardan, he notices that they wear expensive clothing and have cool gadgets. Best of all... hope. Hope is white for Junior because the only people who he sees have it, are white. Arnold isn’t white and doesn’t have money. He has had no experience with white kids, a white school, or being away from the rez. Arnold may reach his desired dream, but there is a long road ahead of him. 

Question 4

Alexander Seguin

There are three big issues that Junior faces with his transfer to Rearden. The first one is having to cope with everyone in his tribe (except for his family) opposing his transition. I think that right when he made the decision that he would transfer schools, he knew that everybody on the “rez” would be opposed to his decision.  He felt they would think of him as a sanctimonious traitor. The second is, not having his best friend to help him cope with this. Rowdy too thought of Junior as a traitor (he made that very clear on page 53 when he said “I Hate You! You Suck! You White Lover”(53, Alexie)). I think that it was also partly the fact that he didn’t want Junior to leave him, before Junior was in a way Rowdy’s bridge to the world of normal people but now that Junior has left him he feels like he is stuck in his own world.  And the third, The white kids also attending Rearden have a totally different social system and a totally different way of dealing with things, as Junior would put it “a different set of rules” Like when Junior punched Roger in the face and he is outraged that someone would take up such a barbaric action against him. All of these add up to the terrible world that Junior has been sucked into just in the past couple of days.

Question #3:Why is Junior hesitant to tell Rowdy? (Ashley)

Junior is hesitant to tell Rowdy about his transition to Reardan because he is frightened of his response and the consequences that might follow. If Rowdy refuses to come along with him, their friendship that they have had for 14 years, will be strained. Junior tells him this devastating news because he wants to be completely honest with him. In addition, I think that Junior has hope that Rowdy will step away from his short temper and aggression and join him, however that is not the case. After Rowdy has time to think about this, he is in denial about Junior’s departure, as the text says, "You'll never do it...you're too scared" (Alexie 50). Rowdy has grown extremely close to Junior and considers him a brother, but having lived through an abusive childhood, he has not learned how to express feelings in words, only in actions. The book says, “Bang! Rowdy punched me” (Alexie 52). Feeling frustrated, confused, and betrayed, Rowdy has to let it out physically. Also, he is shocked because he probably thought since they were such close friends nothing could ever separate them. In the book it states, "Rowdy started crying too, and he hated that. He wiped his hand, and started at his wet hand, and screamed" (Alexie 52). Junior leaving the reservation will definitely take a toll on Rowdy’s life, but hopefully he can step away from being the tough guy, and come with him.