Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line of the book (230).
At the end of the book, Arnold says, “We didn’t keep score” (230). He had just finished his extremely long game of one on one basketball with his old friend Rowdy. Rowdy says, “You’ve never beaten me one-on-one” (229). After the game the boys realized that they had not kept score. This becomes an unspoken rule because they both realize that previously keeping score has not turned out well. They realize that the game can be more enjoyable if they dont keep score. The book ends here because all is restored except for one thing. On the top of page 230 Arnold asks Rowdy if he wants to go to Readren with him. This question is never answered. The significance of this quote is that Rowdy and Arnold have restored their friendship. Arnold says that he will beat Rowdy but they end up not keeping score. This seems to be an unspoken rule that they will both follow from now and on.
- If there were to be a PTI two what do you think Rowdy would do? Go to Readren or stay at the rez?
- Why do you think that laughing works as a coping mechanism for Arnold? If you think that this doesn’t work, why?
I think laughing is coping mechanism for Arnold because he is usually crying. Going through everything Arnold went through makes trying to find a time to laugh very difficult. I believe when everyone else is crying it makes laughing for Arnold easier because no one is paying attention to him during that time. Having this ability is a great relief for Arnold because he has to let everything out somehow in these situations, and he choosing to laugh.
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