Rowdy's father is very abusive to Rowdy and is always drunk. When Junior is desperate for a friend he makes a drawing with Rowdy and him reuniting. Junior comes up with a crazy idea to go see Rowdy even though he is aware that he is unwanted by Rowdy. Junior knows he is unwanted because when he goes to Rowdy's father to ask for Rowdy he says " What do you want"(103). This quote shows how unwelcoming Rowdy's father is. Rowdy's father says"You're kind of gay, aren't you”(103)? This really angers Junior because he just wants to restore their friendship. This comment that Rowdy’s father says is not the best thing to say to Junior because he is still trying to find his identity, and this comment can add more questions about himself. Junior decides to ignore Rowdy's ignorant father. Apparently to Rowdy's father this seems like Junior likes Rowdy, but it is just two boys wanting to be friends. “I missed him,and if that was gay then okay, I was the gayest dude in the world”(103). This quote shows how desperate Junior is to be friends with Rowdy.
Rowdy's father definitely has an effect on Rowdy's behavior. For example in the chapter "Rowdy Sings The Blues" Junior tells Rowdy that he is leaving the rez to go to school at Reardan. Rowdy says "Don't touch me, you retarded fag"(52)! Rowdy's father influences Rowdy to say this because when his father is drunk he might talk about how Junior is gay. And eventually some of the things Rowdy' s father does rubs off on Rowdy. Another example is on the chapter called "Thanksgiving" Rowdy's father claims that Rowdy is not there even though Junior seems him in the window. Rowdy's father doesn't want Junior to see Rowdy because he thinks Junior is gay. Rowdy probably wants to see Junior but between his stubborn ways and his father he decides to ignore Junior. Instead he just gives Junior the middle finger.
How would you react if a friend kept ignoring you because of a parent? Should Rowdy just forget what his father says and reunite with Junior? Why? Do you feel a little bad for Rowdy? Do you think their friendship will be repaired? When in the novel?
Sorry if you can't read this. I have no clue why it is red.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Layla about how Rowdy's dad is influencing the way Rowdy is acting. When Rowdy's dad hits Rowdy, Rowdy beats up other kids to make them feel the way he is feeling. If Rowdy's dad keeps hitting him and beating him up because he is drunk, Rowdy should just go to Junior and ask for help. Junior is always there to help Rowdy anyway he can. Junior is his only friend and can calm him down and make him laugh with his comics. I do feel bad for Rowdy. Without Junior, he now doesn't have any friends because everyone is afraid of him. Also, his parents aren't the most supportive parents in the world. His parents mostly discourage him from doing anything by beating him up. I feel like Rowdy will eventually go back to Junior at the end of the novel, because most books I've read where friends have broken up. They usually get back together at the very end.
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