Arnold has always been a bit of a outcast who nobody ever really cared for too well "a nomad" as Rowdy put it. Arnold however finished his year strong and regained his friendship with Rowdy. His identity is truly discovered in the last few pages of the book. At the point where he learns or figures out that he has or fits into alot of groupings. With so much loss Arnold has begun to focus on the important things in life, including his family and his friends. With each loss his appreciation for each thing he still had became exponentially more intense, as shown when he is so happy to find his dad alive.
Sherman Alexie has been putting Arnold through alot of very tough situations with his family and social life. He put Arnold through all of there things to show how resilient Arnold really is, he pulled through from the very beginning. Through all of his happy moments that pushed him forward and the sad ones that held him back. Arnold grew up, and found that his fitting in depended completely on how he took on his problems. Rowdy returns at the end of the book as a closing scene for Arnold, his friend was back. It presents a very nice scene of basketball where they don't keep score. Arnold finds his identity through his bumpy life, where he ended up being stronger than he ever imagined.
What would you give Arnold as Advice? Who was the most important character? What do you think brought Rowdy back?
I think Rowdy came back because he missed Arnold just as much as Arnold missed him. When they played basketball is was the same as when they climbed the tree. Living in the moment together. I think there was a time when Rowdy really did want to smash Arnold's skull, but deep down he always missed him and wanted to be friends again.
ReplyDeleteRowdy came back because people were being nicer to him which meant he didn't have to be the tough one any more. Since everyone hated him Rowdy had to play along and agree to keep his reputation. While he was doing this he was proud of Arnold. He said that he knew that this would happen and he felt happy for him. I also think Rowdy was jealous that Arnold had the courage to leave the rez and chase his dreams. Since he was jealous he needed to make Arnold feel as bad and isolated as ever. He did that by teasing him and hurting him turning his best friend to his enemy.
ReplyDeleteI think Rowdy came back because he had no one to hang out with. Arnold was his only friend and he had ruined the relationship. When Arnold went to Rearden, he tried to settle things with Rowdy, but Rowdy would not accept it. Eventually Arnold got friends and saw some Rowdy in Gordy. Arnold did not need Rowdy, but Rowdy needed Arnold because he was Rowdy's only friend. I think Arnold had given up on settling things with Rowdy, and Rowdy stepped up and decided he needed a friend.
ReplyDeleteI would say to Arnold that he should never give up on his dreams (so original). The most important character in the whole book probably was Mr.P because when you come down to it, he made all this happen! If it weren't for that crappy old book that belonged to Junior's mom, he wouldn't have thrown that book, and Mr.P wouldn't have been hit in the face and had his huge shnozz broken, and he wouldn't have told Arnold that he was being kille from the inside out, and he wouldn't have gone to Reardan, and the book wouldn't have hd a plot (GOD I FEEL SO PSYCHED RIGHT NOW)!
ReplyDeleteRowdy came back to Arnold because they are best friends. Through the big move of schools that Arnold went through, they both missed each other, as much as Rowdy would hate to admit it. Rowdy actually needs Arnold to live life. Arnold is the one that knows how to make Rowdy laugh and is the only one who truly understands Rowdy. They have a very strong friendship because over the years they have built on it from doing so much together. They make each other stronger and braver individuals. When Rowdy wanted Arnold to climb the tree with him Arnold had no choice, but climbing that tree was a memorable experience for him. From all Rowdy's dares he made Arnold tougher. Honestly if I were to give Arnold advice, I would tell him to keep staying strong. He's been through a lot. His had issues with identity, friends and family. If he was able to survive all of that then he can really do many things. He's had so many things push his confidence almost over that now nothing can really top all that he's been through. What are your thoughts about Rowdy being happy for Arnold? If you were him, how would you have handled Arnold's move without violence?
ReplyDeleteI think what brought Rowdy back was the fact that Rowdy is happy for Arnold, in his own way. He knows that Arnold needs to at least try for a better life. Rowdy has finally accepted the fact that just because Arnold left the rez, it doesn't mean he is a traitor. When Rowdy and Arnold are talking on the last page, Rowdy says he had dreamed about Arnold standing on the Great Wall of China, what Sherman Alexie is tryng to say is that Arnold is someone who will always be stretching the boundaries of his world. What do you think Arnold would potentially end up doing if the book continued?
ReplyDeleteIf the book had continued, I think that Arnold would have continued his dream, went to college and got a job. By the end of the book, Arnold's life took a sudden upswing which will give him more momentum. Rowdy coming back was a big boost in his self confidence. With Rowdy on his side, Arnold is safe and has his best friend back. Also, if the book went on, Arnold would have married Penelope and Rowdy would be the best man at their wedding. Like I said before, the last chapters of the book really make up for the tragedy that he has just faced. At the Rez he has Rowdy who will protect him. At Reardan he has Penelope, Roger, Gordy, and almost every other kid at the school. He also still has parents who care about him more than anything in the world. Had the book continued, Arnold would have had a good life.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Do you think that Arnold would eventually achieve his dreams?
I do think Arnold will eventually achieve his dreams, especially with Rowdy now supporting Arnold. Arnold was finding hope at Reardan and he was finding ways to get support from the rez. Arnold will follow his heart and his passion, with the his supporters Arnold could really do anything. Arnold is mentally strong and has gone through a heck of a lot of a stuff. Also, Arnold will pursue with his dreams because he knows that something will always be there for him and everything will come out okay as long as you push through the hard times. Do you think Rowdy will always support Arnold?
DeleteFor advice, I would tell Arnold that he has been a strong and caring person. but i would give him the knowledge of not only going for white people, and not leaving behind the Rez, because it is a big part of Arnold. At the end when Rowdy and Arnold become friends again I think that will really give Arnold the confidence to go on and grow as a person because the only thing dragging him back (which is not a lot) is the grieving of his dead family and friends.
ReplyDeleteIf you could meet Arnold in the next 30 years what would you suspect him to be like? why?