4. Explain/respond/interpret these quotes: “My sister’s spirit hadn’t been killed” (91). “If you’re good at something, and you love it, and it helps you navigate the world, then it can’t be wrong” (95).

The first quote: “My sister’s spirit hadn’t been killed” (91), refers to the degrading way of life that Indians suffer in a world where they as seen as inferior to whites, as well as how their dreams do.  As Mr. P had said in the before chapters, he was supposed to “kill the Indian to save the child” (35).  Alexie is showing that with a childhood where Mary was taught to give up and surrender to the poverty, as well as the racism, she could’ve easily given in to that stereotype of alcoholism and a dissatisfying way of life.  Alexie is portraying Mary as a powerful figure, and a role model of escape and hope for Junior.  She managed to hold on to her dream, and did so without the consultation of others around her, which would’ve complicated everything.  In the paragraph just before this quote, Junior is contemplating his sister’s escape.  “Of course, my mother and father would have been happy if she’d just gotten a part-time job at the post office or trading post, and maybe just moved into an upstairs bedroom in our house” (91).  Mary didn’t want to settle for others’ opinions on what she should do with her life, so she hung onto her own dream.  All those years in the basement she was waiting, waiting for a chance to get away from the rez and follow her dreams.  When she saw an opportunity, she jumped at it, and while much planning didn’t go into it, she’s where she wants to be, and is happy, though it may not last long.

The second quote: “If you’re good at something, and you love it, and it helps you navigate the world, then it can’t be wrong” (95), shows that Gordy, who is the one who speaks this line, sees the world through an extremely logical lens.  Alexie is showing that there is some hope in the world when it comes to racism and the defeated attitude of Indians.  There is someone who believes in them.  Most of the people Junior interact with don’t have much faith in him, shown by this quote from the encounter with Mr. Dodge: “‘Thank you for sharing that with us, Gordy’... Mr. Dodge thanked Gordy, but didn’t say another word to [Junior]” (86).  Comparing these two quotes shows the difference between people like Mr. Dodge, who can’t get past the “useless” stereotype of Indians, and people like Gordy, who have an open mind when it comes to these things.  Alexie is showing here that Gordy is truly indifferent in the face of race, and that there may be more people like this out there in Junior’s journey.  He sees everyone as the same, with the same potential, which is why he agreed to teach Junior.  The original quote itself should be the way everyone thinks when they come across the hobbies and joys of others.  Instead of shooting it down immediately because of any reason, they should think instead of how it would impact the person doing it in a positive way.

Have you ever thought of someone’s dream or something they enjoy as frivolous or improbable before thinking of what it means to them?  If you have, what do you think of it now that you’ve read the second quote?  If something makes you happy, but it is not the logical path to take, is it still worth doing?  Has there ever been someone in your life that truly supports what you do?  If so, how did they do so?