Reading Tips and Questions

Active Reading Tips for PTI

·       Circle or Box character names and underline character description

·       Circle or box places and dates and underline setting description

·       Summarize in a few bullet points at the end of each chapter

·       Write key words or phrases at the top of each page

·       Identify key quotes that tell you something important about character, conflict or a big idea (race, class, gender, identity, stereotypes, and friendship)

·       Pay attention to the opening and closings of chapters

·       Identify 1-2 new vocabulary words each chapter

·       Note emotional responses or reactions with a J ,L, or !

·       Indicate questions or passages that are unclear with a ?

Guiding Questions for the entire novel:

1.     What internal and external forces impact or shape Arnold’s identity?

2.     How do stereotypes about Native Americans affect Arnold’s identity?

3.     How does one navigate the differences between individual and group identity?

4.     What is the power of writing, art, and creativity in general?

5.     What is friendship? What does it mean to be a good friend?

Blog Post Questions #1: 1-31

1.      Examine the cartoon on page 12. What is the relationship between poverty and dreams?

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

3.      What is “absolutely the saddest thing in the world” (31)?  Explain why Junior says this and the implication.

4.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #2 32-47

1.      Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the quote “We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child” (35).

2.      What is Mr. P’s advice to Junior? Why does he give this advice?

3.      Interpret/explore/explain the context and the significance of the quote “Every white person on this res should get smashed in the face. But let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.” (42)

4.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #3 48-66

1.      Interpret/explore/explain the context and the significance of the quote “I don’t know if hope is white. But I do know that hope for me is like some mythical creature” (51).

2.      In Junior’s mind, what is a “real Indian”? How does this impact him?

3.      Why is Junior hesitant to tell Rowdy? Why does he tell him? How does Rowdy react? Why does he react this way?

4.      Name/explain three issues/hurdles Junior encounters in his transition to Reardon.

5.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #4: 67- 98

1.      What do you make of Arnold’s relationship with his grandmother?

2.      Describe how Penelope treats Junior – provide two specific examples. How does this relationship contribute to Junior’s understanding of himself/his identity?

3.      On pages 82-84, Junior explains how alone he feels. Why does he feel this way? How does what happens in science class reinforce this feeling?

4.      Explain the significance/importance of the friendship with Gordy for Junior.

5.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #5: 99-132

1.      Explore the irony of the discussion about Thanksgiving.

2.      Explain/explore Junior’s interaction with Rowdy’s dad. What are the implications? And what does Junior resolve/decide?

3.      On pages 107-109, Junior tells us more about Penelope, and he learns her secret. Explain this situation and why he says “…she’s scared all the time, but nobody will let her be scared…” (108).

4.      Sum up Rowdy and Junior’s discussion of Penelope (113-116). Why does Rowdy call Junior racist? Is he right?

5.      What does Arnold hide and ultimately reveal in “Dance Dance Dance?” What does he learn? Be sure to discuss the final sentence on page 129.

6.      Examine page the final sentence on 132. Is there truth in this statement? What do notice about gender roles so far?

7.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #6: 133 – 167

1.      How did Junior make the basketball team? In what ways was this related to his conversation with his dad earlier?

2.      Who is the first game against? How is he treated by the crowd at the first game? How does the team (and coach) react/support him? How does this impact him?

3.      In “Red Versus White” what does Junior realize about parents? What is the irony?

4.      What was Junior’s grandmother’s greatest gift? What has happened to Indians’ sense of tolerance? Why has that occurred?

5.      Examine the illustration on page 166 and the repetition of “laughter” on 166 and 167. What is the role of laughter in this chapter?

6.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #7: 168 – 198

1.      What is Arnold’s grieving ceremony? What connection do you see between this and the cartoon on 166?

2.      Summarize the cartoon on 182. What is the significance? What does it show about Junior? What is his dilemma?  

3.       Summarize the outcome of the game. Why does Junior cry at the end? What does he realize?

4.      Explain the humor/irony of the title of the chapter, “Rowdy and I Have a Long and Serious Discussion About Basketball.”

5.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Blog Post Questions #8: 199 - 230

1.      Why does Rowdy tell Arnold, “You killed her” (211)? Is there truth to this statement?

2.      Why does Junior cry on pages 216 and 217?

3.      At the end of the novel what does Junior realize about his own identity, his life and Rowdy?

4.      Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line of the book (230).

5.      Respond to one of the quotes to note. Please identify, speaker, interlocutor, context, and significance.

Final Discussion Questions

·       What do you make of the final scene? Can Roger and Junior remain friends?

·       What do you make of Penelope and her relationship with Arnold?

·       What is the significance of names? When is the narrator Junior? When is he Arnold? How does this impact him?

·       What do you think of Junior’s voice as a narrator? Does it feel authentic? How would the book change if Junior censored himself and didn’t use such slang and sexually explicit language?

·       Throughout the year we’ve explored race, class, and gender. How does PTI relate to other texts we’ve read?

·       What is the role of alcoholism and addiction? How does this impact Junior, his family, and his community?

·       Who are Arnold’s mentors? How do they help him on his journey?

·       While Part Time Indian explores very heavy material, it is often hilarious. What is the role of humor in this text and how does it impact your reading?

·       What is the relationship between laughter and loss? Explore Arnold’s reaction when he learns that his sister has died.