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#8 Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line of the book (230) (Jack W.)

At the end of the book, Rowdy and Junior shoot hoops all through the night, and Junior states, “We didn’t keep score” (Alexie 230). This quote explores how in basketball and in life people think everything is about the score. This signifies that when Rowdy and Junior work over their obvious traits that make them different, they realize that life is not a race, nor something where you have to keep score, and they end up reviving their friendship above the rest of the tribe’s prejudice against Junior leaving the rez. This friendship relinquished joy between both Junior and Rowdy after the losses that they both suffered. For example, When Junior and Rowdy were talking about Junior going off and being a “nomad”, Junior states, “I would always Love Rowdy. And I would always miss him, too. Just as I would always love and miss my grandmother, my big sister, and Eugene” (Alexie 230). When Junior comes to this realization, he notices and understands how everybody thinks one has to be white to have hope and if one is Indian, they will not have hope and therefore, a bad future in life. With everything Junior has been through in the last year, the good parts and the bad parts, playing basketball through the night with Rowdy healed the hole inside of him where he never thought would be filled, which was a representation of joy and Junior’s friendship with rowdy.

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