I feel that we should discuss the issue of being poor in the novel. The feeling that one does not have enough money or as much as everyone else does. The difficulty of finding excuses not to attend events or pretend that you do not want to eat, when you are STARVING!
(As shows by the illustration on pg.120)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It's not enough that Junior tries to fit in and be "white," he is also poor. Being poor is never easy, especially if you are the only Indian in your school.
ReplyDeleteOn page 120, there is a comic entitled, "How To pretend You're Not Poor." One can say that he is not hungry if he has no lunch money, or makes up excuses as to why he is not going on a school trip.
It seems funny to us when reading it, but Junior had to go through this on a daily basis, and it is really sad, especially that he had to go through so many tragedies during his childhood.
On page 128, there is another comic entitled, "Are You Poor?" Which seems to me a continuation from the previous comic. He he gives us many excuses as to what to say when someone asks if he is poor. Again, it seems funny but it is tragic.
I think Alexie's message to us is, though you might not be able to change the way you live, or your luck, you can still look on the bright side and make jokes about it. If life sends you lemons make lemonade, is a very good quote for Junior's type of life.
I agree. But I think that another message Alexie is sending is that, in the journey into adulthood, one gains agency. Unfortunately Junior had to grow up in an oppressive environment. But growing older he gained the ability to command the situation through positive action.
ReplyDeleteSo, here is a question for you guys... Recently, I saw an old friend who is a therapist and we were talking about why some people from "bad" homes manage to pull themselves out and why some don't. We talked about outside support systems, which I believe can often be the difference, and internal strength. She said after years of talking to many different kinds of people that she feels that there is often an internal indefinable factor that divides these two groups. She says that some people don’t have the internal strength, or impetus, or inspiration to get out of the mind frame of victim. They resign themselves to the life that was designed for them by virtue of their circumstances. Junior is, obviously, not that kind of person. But what do you think of the theory? It seems such a sad and hopeless theory to me, although, my friend has certainly heard more internal dialogues than I have in my life, so maybe this is the reality... Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the theory that internal strength, or an internal moral compass, with people who have grown up in bad homes is the difference. Why is it that some kids who have grown up in a tough environment use the pain and hardships they endured to better themselves and become success stories, while others simply become violent and turn to crime. Is it because some recognize their own abilities and others don't? I think there is some truth to this.It also can be attributed to their environment outside their home. What are their friends like? Is their school a safe and comfortable environment? I personally don't believe that someone who witnesses violence will become violent themselves; sure, it's a factor, but i think the innate characteristics of the individual is what ultimately prevails. In regards to people who have simply frown up poor, or have grown up under insecurity and prejudices, their strength of character is what's going to help them see beyond their limitations, and give themselves reasons to be hopeful - just because someone is dealt a hard hand, or they don't belong to a particular race, or they are the underdog in many aspects of their adolescence, should not hinder them for the good life they can choose for themselves, and the person they will become.
ReplyDelete