Note: This is a post on pages 179 – 198.
At the end of their game with the Wellpinit Redskins, the
Reardan Indians win by forty points. By this tremendous win, they are, of
course, elated with feelings of triumph. Junior’s emotional response to the
outcome of this game is two-fold. On one hand, he says, “We had killed the
Redskins” (194), which indicates that he too is proud of his team’s victory. He
goes on to allude to the story of David and Goliath, associating his team with
the former, the courageous hero, and the opponent with the latter, the vicious
antagonist.
On the other hand, he then says, “I realized that my team…
was Goliath.” (195) He then cries, overcome with shame. This is because he
recognizes the sorrow of the Wellpinit team – a grief he too has known. Junior
says, “I was crying because I had broken my best friend’s heart.” (196) He
describes the great, prosperous lives of the people on his team, contrasting
that of the opponents’. So while this was just a game to the Reardan team
(albeit a very important one), to the Wellpinits it was their only hope: their
only source of happiness. And to destroy this potential joy is why Junior is so
ashamed of his revenge. How do you think Arnold’s realization will shape his
morals as an adult? Behind every victory is a loss – how does this relate to
your own experiences? Would you chose your own happiness over your best
friend’s, like Junior did?
When given the choice over my best friend's happiness and my own, I would probably choose my own. I don't mean this in a cruel way, but if I had to not try as hard on account of my friend's feelings, I wouldn't do it and try my best. I say this because in life, no matter the circumstances, if you want to get ahead you have to try your hardest. If the situation were more casual, like my best friend was madly in love with someone and that person asked me out instead, I would definitely say no.
ReplyDeleteCan you see the differences in these situations? I really don't mean to come off as evil and conceded but in the long run, your life will be better if you think about yourself first.
A great example is when Arnold went to Reardan and left Rowdy and Mary behind on the rez. He was Rowdy's only friend but he needed a way out, an education. He showed up his older sister Mary by leaving the Rez before her.
Can you think of any other examples from the book (this or another) or a movie? Do you agree with me on my chose on happiness? Why or why not?