Identity: Throughout the novel, Arnold was facing the dilemma of choosing between rez Junior & Reardan Arnold. In the final chapter Arnold realizes that he doesn't have to only be rez Junior or Reardan Arnold and he realizes that he doesn't have to choose what group(s) of people he belongs to. This is evidenced on page 217 when he talk about he realized that he was both a Spokane Indian but he also belonged to a "tribe"of American immigrants.
Life: In the final chapter, Arnold finally decides that his decision to leave was the right one for him to make for his life. On page 217, Arnold says that he is going to have a better life in the white world and he realizes that he was not the only one who left their homes to pursue their dreams. This shows that Arnold thinks it was the right choice because he says he is going to have a better life.
Rowdy: Arnold also realizes that Rowdy supports his decision to leave the rez for the outside world. That is shown on page 229-230 when Rowdy talk about how the Indians were originally nomads and Rowdy says that he is happy for Arnold. That clearly shows that Rowdy supports Arnold, but the one on one ball game that they played also shows that Rowdy supported Arnold because they didn't keep score, showing that they weren't playing to beat each other.
Do you think that Rowdy and Arnold will remain friends in the future (after the book)?
I believe Rowdy and Arnold will remain friends through, high school but like the horse their relationship will mold and rot just like all the others. They are to different to remain friends in the future, Arnold will go place. Rowdy won't
ReplyDeleteI think that this ending was more or less foreshadowing by Sherman Alexie. The fact that Rowdy came back to Arnold showed that their friendship would still be pieced together after their separation and disconnect. Towards the end Rowdy is basically telling Arnold that he is going to achieve great things in life and that as his friend, he will always love and miss him when Arnold's gone.
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