Junior
feels that he needs to pretend that he’s poor. He has to pretend that he has
more money then he really does, so people will like him more. He thinks that
once everyone finds out his secret, of being poor that people won’t want to be
friends with him. He also thinks that he’s going to loose Penelope. Junior
said, “I pretended I belonged,” on page 119. It seems that if he pretends that
something might happen, then it will. Junior honesty just want’s to belong
somewhere; he just wants to fit in without a question.
It’s
hard for Junior to pretend because eventually lies have to come out. It seems
that he can’t exactly be himself. He’s always making sure that he has a back up
story if anyone asks anything having to do with money. There was a picture on
page 120 and it was How to Pretend You’re not Poor. He was prepared for almost
every situation that might be thrown his way having to do with money. His lie finally came out when he borrowed
some money from Roger and Penelope confronted him about being poor. Thinking
that he was done for, and never going to have friends against he gave up and
said yes. All Penelope did was kiss his cheek and showed her sympathy. He then
got a ride from Roger. “If you let people into your life a little bit, they can
be pretty damn amazing,” Junior said this on page 129. Junior is starting to
open up to some people in the school.
Why do you think Junior is opening up to Roger and Penelope? Would you do this? How do you think Rogers and Juniors relationship will go?
Why do you think Junior is opening up to Roger and Penelope? Would you do this? How do you think Rogers and Juniors relationship will go?
I agree with Sharon about Junior pretending he's not poor. I honestly feel I dislike the new Junior. I dislike this new Junior because he never tells the truth anymore and now all the popularity has gone to his head. Junior says, “Yeah, so I pretended to have a little money. I pretended to be middle class....nobody knew the truth” (pg 119). I think Rowdy will not like this new Junior either because he has changed so much. For now Junior will just form into this new Junior only at Rearden, but soon he will become a full time part-time Indian. As we continue to read this book, I notice Junior is losing his identity more and more. I feel Junior is opening up about being poor to Penelope and Roger because he trusts them. I understand that he trust Penelope with his secret but I don’t why he trust Roger. Roger is popular so he can spread Junior’s secret quickly causing Junior to become a loser again. Do you think Roger will tell everyone Junior’s secret?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sharon and Layla. Junior is not pretending to be poor because he would be even more of an outsider at reardan. Junior thinks that everyone will hate him because he is poor. I think Junior told Penelope because he couldn't keep it a secret much longer and he was worried if he lied she would break up with him. I think Roger will do a lot more for Junior and be a lot nicer because he feels bad. I think Roger will keep Junior being poor a secret because they are friends.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else about how Junior is just pretending he is poor for different reasons. I think that Penelope and Roger are good people for letting Junior into their lives even while knowing that he is poor. While I was reading, I was a little suspicious of Roger and Penelope's relationship. Penelope's dad really likes Roger and that made me wonder if they had any history. Penelope even says, "He's like my big brother". This shows how close they are and they could even be closer than Junior and Penelope. Roger says that Junior and Penelope make a good couple but I think that he secretly likes Penelope. She is smart, pretty, and popular so who wouldn't. Penelope truly believes that Roger will not tell Juniors secret to anyone but if he does tell then will Penelope have to break up with Junior because he is not popular anymore?
ReplyDeleteI agree with everybody here, in saying that Junior is changing, and that Penelope and Roger are kind to not judge him. I think it's easy for everyone to say that he's changing into a different person, and he's not being himself. But I think we should try to imagine what it must be like for Junior. He's in a new environment where he sticks out, he's poor, and his best friend hates him now. Even though I think it's good that Penelope and Roger care about him, however I don't think he should hide anything because you never know what lies might build up.
ReplyDelete