p. 118-132 

In what ways does Junior feel he needs to "pretend"? Why is this so difficult for Junior? 

          Arnold feels like he need to pretend to be a white kid when he is hanging around with the white kids. Arnold feels like he has to fit in to survive at Reardan. He tries to act "cool" like the white kids, look rich and elegant, and become popular. 

          Arnold's mother gives Arnold more money than necessary so that he could "lie about how poor he is." (119) Since "everybody in Reardan assumes that Arnold's tribe is rich because they have a casino," (119) Arnold tries to keep his reputation of being a rich kid who is also a boyfriend of a beautiful white girl. Looking at the comic on p. 120, the heading is "How to Pretend You're Not Poor." 

          Now, the word "pretend" may sound silly and stupid to a lot of people. In Arnold's case, "pretending" is pretty serious to him. He moved on from getting picked on to being a popular kid, but he needs to keep his reputation by pretending to be rich. Arnold buys less, doesn't go on field trips, etc. We can clearly see that he is not being himself. 

          After the dance, Arnold goes to a pancake diner with some students. He buys a lot of things to act like he is rich. 

           1) If other people at Reardan find out that Arnold is poor, would Arnold still be their cool friend?

           2) Would Roger's care for Arnold last long?

           3) Penelope is a rich white girl, while her boyfriend, Arnold, is poor. Would their different backgrounds eventually tear them apart?