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.
I agree that Arnold is a winner, but I believe that his coach really helped him get through the day. When Arnold first joins the team, the coach sees potential in him immediately. When they are at the game his coach is constantly checking in on Arnold. Arnold says, "Coach looked back on me... Are you okay?...You don't have to play this one." This coach is Junior's moral support before and after that gruesome and violent game.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree as well. The only thing that has gotten Arnold through these past weeks (especially the game) is the fact that he has so many supporters. This is shown even before the game started when on page 143 he says "I probably would have turned around if I hadn't seen my mom and dad and grandma waiting at the front door." (Alexie 143)
ReplyDelete