What is “absolutely the saddest thing in the world”?  Explain why Junior says this and the implication.

               Junior is not accepted in the reservation's community and therefore resorts to his dog, Oscar for support. He calls it “absolutely the saddest thing in the world” since Oscar was the only living creature he could explain himself to, and his only way to express himself orally. Since his father and mother often abused alcohol, Junior felt like he could not be heard clearly by them and his concerns were shrugged off, but with Oscar, he was listened to, heard, and accepted. Though Oscar is a dog, and Junior's best living friend, it is explained on page five that words are "too unpredictable", and "too limited" he thinks that his and Oscar's actions are their best way of communication and understanding, and do not need to be explained. The fact that actions do not need to be explained make them a universal form of communication, which was important for Junior. Oscar was Junior's only escape and his thoughts were all channeled to his best friend and understanding companion, his dog. On page 14 when Oscar was shot, additional sadness followed, Junior felt hopeless since his family was stuck in the cycle of the poverty wheel. Since Oscar was where all of Juniors feelings were told, it was a greater impact of Junior when he was shot because there would be no companion as loyal as him. As well as having Oscar killed, Junior's parents would learn not to buy pets as they would cause grief and depression after death, but this would add to the sadness knowing that a replacement could not come because of financial issues, and that his closest friend would never come back.

               Why do you think it is important for Junior to communicate in a universal way? Do you think that the relation between Oscar being a mutt and Junior being an Indian is important? Why or Why not? Do you think that the relationship between Oscar and Junior was a one or two way relationship of support and affection?

Why does Junior say “it sucks to be poor…” (13)? What does “poverty teach you”? Explain.

              Junior says that it "Sucks to be poor" (13).  Junior has learned that living in a poverty stricken community  there is a long hard cycle of being poor. "It's an ugly circle and there's nothing you can do about it." (13) Junior is implying that once you are poor there is no way out and instead of trying to get out poor people just learn to accept their miserable lives. Junior also says that poor people start blaming themselves for being poor and that their stupidity and ugliness are the cause so there is no way to fix this. The people in his tribe now think there is nothing they can do about being poor except go with it. Junior also explains what poverty can teach a person, nothing. He says "Poverty doesn't give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance ... poverty only teaches you how to be poor." (13) Junior feels as though there are no valuable lessons taught in poverty and no one discusses or attempts to work towards a better  more successful life.  

             One could argue that a person can get out of the circle of Poverty. Do you agree or disagree with this? Someone could also argue that poverty teaches Junior to be resourceful and make the little things like chicken count. What is your take on the two questions.

Why does Junior say "it sucks to be poor..." (13)? What does "poverty teach you"?

       It sucks to be poor because when someone you love gets sick you can't do anything about it. Junior's dog became sick in the hot weather. Their was nothing for him to do to save the dog. He had no money for a vet, no gas to drive a car to the vet, and no money for medicine to help him. All his family could do was relieve his suffering by shooting him with a bullet. Afterwards, he was depressed for a long time. "I thought about crawling into a hole" (15). Because of his poverty he lost a best friend and could do "nothing, nohting, nothing "(10) to save him.  
       Junior tells first hand about what poverty teaches you. He says that poverty only teaches you "how to be poor." (13) He feels an ugly circle where he feels he deserves to be poor because he is ugly and he is ugly because he is Indian and he is Indian because he is poor. "It's an ugly circle" (13). But poverty actually teaches people on how to be sad and desperation, two things that come from poverty. He hopes to escape poverty through art. But as junior said "We reservation Indians don't get to realize our dreams." (13). So he feels his only dream is to become rich or famous because of art but he doesn't believe anyone will pay any attention to it.
             Why do you think it is bad to be poor? Do you think poverty teaches you anything else? Do you think he should be this down on himself for being poor? Have you ever felt true sadness like Junior has?

Welcome...

Welcome...

Welcome to Mr. Rossiter's English blog. We will use this space to further our discussions outside of the classroom. This is also a place where every student will continue to work on writing. We will push ourselves to become thoughtful and concise with our written words. You will find this blog a wonderful resource as we study this classic novel. Also feel free to add images or movies that you want to share. Thanks.