Summary
Junior tries out for the basketball team at Reardan. Of the forty boys who are trying out, sixteen will be cut, and Junior figures that he doesn't have a chance. He is surprised to discover that, after the first drill, a marathon run, four boys drop out. He begins to think he might have a chance after all. The second drill is a full-court one-on-one. Junior is paired with Roger, who is one of the best players on the varsity. Junior is at first pathetically over-matched, but he refuses to quit. With pure tenacity and smart strategy, he manages to hold his own against the much bigger Roger, and earns the respect of Roger, the coach, and a place on the varsity.
Before Junior even gets in the game, he is hit by a flying projectile, and must be removed because he is bleeding. He has Eugene stitch him up, and when he finally gets to play in the third quarter, Rowdy smashes him with an elbow and knocks him unconscious. Junior is taken to the hospital, where he learns that Reardan lost the game, largely due to technical fouls called by the referees, who were willing to do almost anything to pacify the unruly Indian crowd.
Juniors dad has skipped Christmas with his family to go drinking. Instead of yelling at his father Junior says that it is okay what his father has done. Even though inside he knows that his father has again broken his heart. His father actually saved a damp five dollar bill under the padding of his shoe for Junior. How nice was that?
Junior has finally seen that there are good things about Native Americans and bad things about white people. He has learned that on a reservation everyone knows everyone. Some white people have not even gone to their children's schools before.
Quote
"what he always does when they don't have enough money...he takes what little money they do have and ran away to get drunk" (Alexie, 209).
Reaction
Juniors father is fulfilling the stereotypes given to Native Americans. He is spending all of his money on nothing but liquor. This does not surprise me because I think it has something that has to do with life getting through Juniors father. Maybe after all the stereotypes and the hatred toward him, drinking is the only way he learned to get through to his problems. Problems such as the reservation, being poor, and prejudice. He has learned to accept all his problems because he does not think there is a way to stop it. Instead of trying to stop his problems, Juniors father tries to escape them.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (124-150)
Summary
It is not a surprise, but Junior is suspended when, in a rage at realizing his geometry book is over thirty years older than he is, he throws the book and hits his teacher in the face. While he is serving his suspension, Mr. P comes to visit him at home. He says that his sister Mary was a bright shinning star. He says that Junior deserves better than the reservation. The only way that he can get a better life is if he leaves the reservation. M. P tells Junior that he, like his sister, is "a bright and shining star...the smartest kid in the school". He says that Junior deserves better than what Indians on the reservation are allowed, and that the only way he will find a better life is if he leaves the reservation. Mr. P tells Junior that the only thing reservation kids are being taught is "to give up"; his friend Rowdy has already given up, and that's why he's so mean.
Quote
"go somewhere where other people have hope" (Alexie 125).
Reaction
I do find this quote true in many cases. One of these cases, and most important, is in school. I find it important because ones success is based upon their learning enviroment. Suppose you were to have a teacher that sat throughout the whole class day. If asked what the lesson is and they tell you, "what does it matter? You wil fail anyways". There is nothing you can do about it and your mindset will permenatly be set that way. However if you were to have a teacher that is involved in class an makes sure you are also proactive, then you really beluiave thst you will be able to do it.
It is not a surprise, but Junior is suspended when, in a rage at realizing his geometry book is over thirty years older than he is, he throws the book and hits his teacher in the face. While he is serving his suspension, Mr. P comes to visit him at home. He says that his sister Mary was a bright shinning star. He says that Junior deserves better than the reservation. The only way that he can get a better life is if he leaves the reservation. M. P tells Junior that he, like his sister, is "a bright and shining star...the smartest kid in the school". He says that Junior deserves better than what Indians on the reservation are allowed, and that the only way he will find a better life is if he leaves the reservation. Mr. P tells Junior that the only thing reservation kids are being taught is "to give up"; his friend Rowdy has already given up, and that's why he's so mean.
Quote
"go somewhere where other people have hope" (Alexie 125).
Reaction
I do find this quote true in many cases. One of these cases, and most important, is in school. I find it important because ones success is based upon their learning enviroment. Suppose you were to have a teacher that sat throughout the whole class day. If asked what the lesson is and they tell you, "what does it matter? You wil fail anyways". There is nothing you can do about it and your mindset will permenatly be set that way. However if you were to have a teacher that is involved in class an makes sure you are also proactive, then you really beluiave thst you will be able to do it.
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