In the chapter "Talking about Turtles", Rowdy came up to Arnold and the two of them practiced and played basket ball. Rowdy said "You're the nomadic one...I always knew you were going to leave us behind and travel the world...you looked happy. And I was happy for you" (229). There is a sense of forgiveness in what Rowdy just said. Even though the rest of the rez still believes that Arnold is a traitor, Rowdy forgave him. In front of the rest of the rez Rowdy showed Arnold hatred but when Arnold emailed Rowdy, Rowdy replied instead of ignoring Arnold's existence. Rowdy knew that the rez is a hopeless place, and once and still being Arnold's best friend, he knew Arnold will hold on to his hope and leave the rez to pursue his dreams. There is truth in what Rowdy said to Arnold at the basketball court because Arnold was the first person to have the courage to leave the rez. Arnold knew people were going to hate him even more than they already did, but he didn't care. His actions inspired his sister Mary, and Mary left the rez after Arnold did in order to escape this cage-like rez. Rowdy never thinks before he acts, therefore when Arnold first told Rowdy that he will leave, Rowdy punched him in the nose because he wasn't ready for the leaving part to happen so fast. Afterwards, he regrets doing this because he already knew that one day Arnold will leave him, he just didn't know Arnold would go to Reardan. Rowdy wouldn't have reacted the same way he did if Arnold went to anywhere else but Reardan. Like Mr. P said, Arnold is a warrior, he is born to fight, to bring hope back to the rez, and the Whites have the most hope.
"I had a dream about you a few months ago. You were standing on the Great Wall of China. You looked happy. And I was happy for you" (229). An assumption was made that before Rowdy came to find Arnold to play basketball, the two were worse enemies. Yet, Rowdy having a dream about Arnold a few months ago means that at that time Rowdy still misses and cares about Arnold, while hating him at the same time for being a "White-lover" (53). But also "I was happy for you" indicates that Arnold is Rowdy's only friend-for-life, and no matter what kind of situation they are in, nothing can separate them.
Do you think Rowdy forgave Arnold? If so, at what point do you think Rowdy had forgiven Arnold? Why do you think Rowdy forgave him? Are they still best friends or just normal friends? Would Arnold have said the same thing if it was Rowdy who went to Reardan?
"I had a dream about you a few months ago. You were standing on the Great Wall of China. You looked happy. And I was happy for you" (229). An assumption was made that before Rowdy came to find Arnold to play basketball, the two were worse enemies. Yet, Rowdy having a dream about Arnold a few months ago means that at that time Rowdy still misses and cares about Arnold, while hating him at the same time for being a "White-lover" (53). But also "I was happy for you" indicates that Arnold is Rowdy's only friend-for-life, and no matter what kind of situation they are in, nothing can separate them.
Do you think Rowdy forgave Arnold? If so, at what point do you think Rowdy had forgiven Arnold? Why do you think Rowdy forgave him? Are they still best friends or just normal friends? Would Arnold have said the same thing if it was Rowdy who went to Reardan?
I completely agree with what Kelsey has said. Arnold is a warrior - people throughout the novel have said this and it is a big theme now. Rowdy saying that he knew Arnold would leave the rez, even before Arnold actually thought about it, is an important sign of extreme friendship. Arnold and Rowdy, before he left to Reardan, were best friends. Beyond best friends, if there is something like that. When Arnold left, Rowdy cut that friendship off, and they became enemies. Except they didn't. They weren't enemies and were never enemies. I think that Rowdy being mad at Arnold throughout his Reardan experiences (and culminating at the basketball game) is just another one of Rowdy's extreme reactions. They still are best friends, but they have a sort of tension between them. If Rowdy had gone to Reardan, instead of Arnold, Arnold would have tried to be Arnold. A warrior. He would probably have had to toughen up and become braver to the rez without Rowdy. Arnold and Rowdy probably would have stayed as friends, Arnold trying to keep the friendship going. So, in summary, Rowdy is the problem. He is the one with the wild reactions and violence, which does affect Junior.
ReplyDeleteI think that Rowdy knew all along that Arnold was different, like Mr. P did. Rowdy knew that Arnold wanted and deserved the best for himself. Rowdy at first, wasn’t happy about the fact that Arnold was switching schools, but ultimately he knew that he should help Arnold along. Rowdy has already given up and Arnold was the only good thing in his life, like Mr. P said. Without Arnold, Rowdy’s life didn’t include anyone who had hope, and he missed Arnold like Arnold missed him. I am pretty sure that Rowdy was proud of Arnold for leaving the rez, and he just acted angry to save the tough character that he tries to be. Arnold and Rowdy’s friendship is stronger than it was before and it is bound to be a long lasting friendship.
ReplyDeleteI think that Rowdy knew all along that Arnold was different, like Mr. P did. Rowdy knew that Arnold wanted and deserved the best for himself. Rowdy at first, wasn’t happy about the fact that Arnold was switching schools, but ultimately he knew that he should help Arnold along. Rowdy has already given up and Arnold was the only good thing in his life, like Mr. P said. Without Arnold, Rowdy’s life didn’t include anyone who had hope, and he missed Arnold like Arnold missed him. I am pretty sure that Rowdy was proud of Arnold for leaving the rez, and he just acted angry to save the tough character that he tries to be. Arnold and Rowdy’s friendship is stronger than it was before and it is bound to be a long lasting friendship.
ReplyDeletewhy did you post twice
Deleteand the same thing too
DeleteI think Rowdy definitely forgave Arnold. When Rowdy said "I'm bored...So maybe you want to shoot some hoops?" (228), it shows that he is ready to forgive Arnold because he offers to play with him their favorite sport. "We just shot lazy jumpers for a few minutes. We didn't talk. Didn't need to talk. We were basketball twins." (228) Basketball is where these two best friends connect the most. Basketball is what they do to let off steam. Rowdy finally realizes again that he needs Arnold in his life to make him laugh and smile. He finally realizes that he should forgive Arnold and become best friends again. Rowdy realizes this when he goes to Mary's funeral and missed when he tried to punch Arnold. When Arnold makes Rowdy laugh after he misses, Rowdy realizes how much he misses Arnold. I think if Rowdy had gone to Reardan instead, unlike what Stanley said, I think Arnold would have made the decision to go with Rowdy. Because during the whole time at Reardan, Arnold was trying to get back to being friends with Rowdy. If Rowdy went to Reardan, Arnold won't easily let go his friendship. So the best thing for him to do is go to Reardan with Rowdy. Arnold and Rowdy have a bond that even if it breaks, it will mend back together.
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