Blog Entry #1
Luc Boesch-Powers
Question 3: “What is ‘absolutely the saddest thing in the world’ (31)? Explain why Junior says this and the implication.”
"Absolutely the saddest thing in the world" (Alexie 31) is the fact that Junior's school/tribe cannot afford even new-ish books for their students. Initially, Junior was extremely excited to get his books in high school, but seeing his mother's name in the book really let him down. When receiving his book, he assumed the book was at least semi-new, but the disappointment of learning that the book used to belong to his mother when she was in high school is truly depressing. So depressing that Junior, overwhelmed by his tribe and family's poverty, throws the (very old) book at Mr. P.. Obviously, Junior doesn’t find it fair that Native Americans like him are basically born into poverty without much of a way out. Although difficult, Junior is striving for that way out, but is discouraged after learning the truth about his book. After this unfolded, Junior realized it will be very hard to "escape," (Alexie 6) as the poverty of his tribe and school have already dimmed his chances of getting ahead in life.
I like how you hinted at the circle of poverty mentioned. I definitely agree. and I wonder what else in the book it will affect. I also think that it is not only sad that the school can not afford new textbooks but also what that says about their day to day life.
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