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

For Arnold’s whole life he has been teased for being different, and his hope is diminishing due to lack of support from friends and teachers. After he hurls his geometry book, accidentally breaking Mr. P’s nose, his teacher pays him a visit. Mr. P surprises him by forgiving him, for he is sick of being violent toward Indians and trying to eliminate their Native American identity from school. During this conversation they discuss Arnold’s sister Mary, who had a dream to write romance novels but stopped writing out of the blue. Mr. P knows that Arnold has potential as an artist, and does not want him to live the same fate. It is upsetting to both Mr. P and Arnold that Indians at the reservation lose hope so easily due to what white people do to them. Mr. P admits that he had “hurt a lot of Indian kids when [he] was a young teacher” (Alexie 35). Arnold’s teacher realizes that white people discriminate against Indians and therefore all deserve to get hit in the face with a book. He also offers another perspective on the situation: “But let me tell you this. All the Indians should get smashed in the face, too.” (Alexie 42). The reason he says this is because the reservation Indians are only being “taught…how to give up” and to stop following their dreams. Mr. P knows that hurting Indian kids and demolishing their hope is wrong. He just wants Arnold to understand that no Indian has ever fought for their rights or futures either. He knows Arnold has the power to change his life for the better by leaving the reservation, and Mr. P wants him to live up to his potential.