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

                                                                                                                                            Stephanie Kai

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

It sucks to be poor because poverty killed one of his best friends and lowered his self-esteem. In “why chicken means so much to me,” he explained the death of his dearest dog, Oscar, and how helpless he was after all. His dog was the only thing he could “depend on” and he “honestly” thought that “Oscar was a better person than any human.(9)” Plus the fact that he was bullied on daily bases, he cherished his dog even more. However, when Oscar was dying, his mother simply said “I’m sorry, but we don't have any money for Oscar.(10)” and there was “nothing” Arnold “could do to save him.(10)” It indeed “sucks to be poor,” especially when watching your best friend dies and not being able to do anything. Later in this chapter, he also exclaimed that Indians are “just poor(13)” and they are “stupid and ugly”people who “deserved to poor.” Although this is not true, he was very talented in art and he had a great personality,  if he said those negative things every day, he would gradually start to believe it and become a cynical person who does not do anything to contribute to the society. And everything is because of poverty. It does suck to be poor.
What do you think your attitude would be like if your family were to be poor? Why do you think he could keep a positive attitude despite poverty? Do you think there are reasons why it sucks to be poor?

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

Junior is talking about his geometry textbook-- the same one that was used thirty years ago by his mother. Junior describes it as being “absolutely the saddest thing in the world” (31) because he was expecting more of his new high school, and because it builds more on his idea that all Indians are poor. Also, Junior was about to kiss the book when he noticed his mother’s name in it. He was obviously really excited for class and to get his textbook, thus starting off the year on a good note. But then after seeing his mother’s name his positive attitude and excitement diminishes and he is shoved back into this little cycle of depression he’s created for himself, “...you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly. And then you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. And because you’re Indian you start believing you’re destined to be poor.” (13)

Junior’s implication when he says this is that the reservation doesn’t have the money to buy new textbooks, so he is given the same ones his parents used. The way he says it, though it does effectively convey his idea, also manages to appear funny and light which goes along the lines of his narrative attitude. Even though the book deals with more serious topics like racial and ethnic discrimination, Junior uses the fact that his reservation’s high school faults to convey the more important underlying issues. Also, because his book was used by his mother thirty years ago, it makes him feel more self-conscious instead of just doing the work and having a good time with it which was his original intent before he discovered his mother’s name. Now that he has replenished his belief that all Indians are poor and regarded as lesser to other people, it will make high school and learning in general less enjoyable for him because he feels less capable.

What are some other things that Junior has mentioned so far which go along with his idea that all Indians are poor because they are Indians, and could also be described as “the saddest thing in the world”? Do you think that Junior would’ve had the same reaction had it been someone else’s name in his book (not his mom but around the same age)?

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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.