Violence is very present in this novel. Arnold, the main character, is a teenager who lives on an Indian reservation. In this “rez”, fights are always the answers to troubles between Indians and if you don't fight, you are considered as a coward. The “unofficial and unwritten Spokane Indian rules of fisticuffs” are known by every Indian. Moreover, his best friend Rowdy is regularly beaten by his drunk father. He also protects Arnold by beating up his bullies. So, physical violence is part of Arnold's everyday life .
Besides, his life is a bit tragic: his grandmother, his sister and his best friend's father are killed mostly because of alcohol ( shooting, car accident, fire).
The teenager is also confronted to verbal violence.
His best friend, when he learns that he has decided to leave the reservation in order to study in a white school, rejects him and makes the whole reservation loathe him, that is really hard for Arnold. Furthermore, classmates laugh at him because of his particular body and his stutter.
When Arnold comes to Reardan, he discovers that whites don't have the same approach to violence than the Indians.
But during the story, Arnold figures out that violence is not an answer to problems and that he can be liked.
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