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.
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