Through this quote, Mr. P is telling Arnold that everyone has given up around him and that no one has hope. Living on the reservation is hard, and you need a lot of motivation to get through and still have hope left. Mr. P is telling Arnold that he is being influenced by the people that have given up around him. After this quote, Mr. P continues by saying “The only thing you kids are being taught is how to give up.” (42) Mr. P wants Arnold to succeed, and he thinks that the only way to succeed is to “go somewhere where other people have hope” (43) which is not the rez. Mr. P also knows that Arnold hasn’t given up yet, unlike Rowdy. “Your friend Rowdy, he’s given up…you’re the only good thing in his life” (42). Mr. P realizes that if Arnold had given up, then he wouldn’t have thrown the book at him. “All these kids have given up” (42) but Arnold hasn’t, and Mr. P seizes the opportunity to get Arnold somewhere and give him hope. Mr. P cares for Arnold and wants to give him hope. The drawing at the end is also very symbolic. It shows a sign with the Rez and Hope pointing in opposite directions. It also shows Arnold facing the side where hope is. Mr. P’s words have influenced him greatly, and it shows through Arnold’s decision to transfer schools.
What do you think about Mr. P’s words? Do you think that he is correct? Do you think that everyone around Arnold has given up? Do you think that Arnold should have followed Mr. P’s words like he did? What would you have done if you were Arnold?
I agree with your statement that Arnold is surrounded by people around him who are giving up, and that being surrounded by those people has a negative impact on him. I also think that this shows development in Mr. P. Before Arnold smashed him in the face, he had seen generations of students come and go, and every single one of them had 'given up'. When Arnold hit him, he realized that there was someone who cared about their dreams, and wasn't going to accept the situation they were born into. Seeing this gave Mr. P new hope, and I think that is the reason Mr. P gave that advice to Arnold, because he really wants to see him succeed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ranch, everyone on the rez had already given up hope just like all of their ancestors had. Except for Arnold. Arnold was different from everything because he has not given up on life yet. He is the sole person on the rez that has not given up hope. He is the only person that can change the cycle, do something with their life, or change the way others think of Indians in the world. Hope is the last key to the puzzle so when Mr. P sees arnold had it he knew that it could go away in an instance. This is why he came and talked to him instead of just letting him rot on the rez. He also wants to make up for trying to kill Indian culture and hurting Indians in general. Do you think Mr. P told Arnold in the right way?
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