In the chapter, "Red Versus White," Junior realizes that even though Indian parents can't always give their kids everything that white parents can, and even though Junior's dad is an alcoholic, Indian parents are always there. On page 153, Junior says, "On the rez, you know every kids father...". This shows how parents on the rez don't ignore there kids and are present. "...those white dads can disappear without even leaving the room." (153). This is ironic because it shows how even though rich white parents can get their kids the newest sneakers and a fancy watch whereas Indian parents give their kids a five dollar bill for Christmas, white parents sometimes don't even provide the simplest thing: being there for their kids. "...best of all, [my parents] listen to me." (153). This quote shows how Arnold can depend on his mom and dad, even though they are poor Indians. They are always there for him and are good parents despite all of that.
What makes Junior realize this? Why does Junior suddenly see how good his parents are just after his dad came home and gave him five dollars for Christmas? Do you think Arnold wished he had white parents before? How does this show Arnold's identity? What is Sherman Alexie showing us about the rez community?
Junior suddenly sees how good his parents are when his dad came home and gave him five dollars because his dad has never thought about him during the holidays before. Whenever the holidays come around Junior just acts like it is a normal time of the year because he never gets anything special because they have no money to spend and his Father spends most of it on alcohol. Junior is ecstatic that his Father even though of him because usually his father acts like he doesn't have a family during the holidays. I think that Junior did want white parents because he thought that they got everything that they wanted and just because they are rich they have a great life at home. He realizes that this is not true when he goes to Reardan because he never meets his friends Fathers and he can tell that the children aren't reliant on their Fathers. I think that Junior is noticing how good his life is and how lucky he is that his parents care about him.
ReplyDeleteJunior realizes this when his father gives him five dollars for Christmas. Junior has a sudden epiphany about his parents that hey are indeed good parents. Junior's father does in fact get drunk almost every other day, but that doesn't stop him from loving and caring for Arnold. At the basketball game Junior realizes all the crap he is going through at that game and thinks to himself that his parents have probably gone through the same, if not worse, things. Arnold also realizes that his father actually listens to him. He says that a lot of the white kids' fathers do't listen to them. They don't even come to support their kid at his/her sporting events. Arnold has probably thought to himself before I wish my parents were white but never will he after this moment.
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