Wednesday, November 6, 2013
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.
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I agree, Junior realizes that he is fortunate to have parents who worry about him. Knowing that white parents of the students in Reardan ignore them, Junior's prospect on whites has changed. Even though the majority of them are richer than him, they don't have a loving family, as they don't sacrifice. Junior learns that the worst thing his parents can do is ignore him. The irony in this chapter is,"The fact that Reardan is a tiny town, people can still be strangers to each other" (Alexie 153), while on the reservation all the Indians were like a family.
ReplyDeleteEven sometimes the white parents can totally disappear from the equation. Because they ignore their children so much, that they can "completely disappear without ever leaving the living room" (Alexie 153). Of course the Indian parents can do this too, but not as severe. But also if we go back to where Penelope's father met Junior. Even though he does not like the Indians, he is at least showing some concern.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Indian parents are more aware and involved in their children lives. Junior feels like he can always know that his parents will be there for him, if he needs them. Junior notes that some children don't have such a close relationship with their parents as the text states "there are plenty of Reardan kids who get ignored by their parents. ... are good at hiding in plain sight." (Alexie, 153). He's thankful for his relationship with his family and he realizes that other families (white), the children get ignored and sometimes they feel like their parents just disappeared. The text states how thankful and lucky he is "They worry about me. They talk to me. And best of all, they listen to me." (Alexie, 153). Junior is thankful for what he has and acknowledges that others may not have it.
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