Friday, May 31, 2013

Chapters 7-10 summaries

   In chapter 7, Victor's dad dies in Phoenix, so Victor has to properly bring his dad's body back to the reservation. Since Victor didn't have enough money, he borrows $100 from the council and the rest from his old acquaintance, Thomas,  who has to watch after Victor on behalf of Victor's dad. Thomas offers Victor the money but only if he can tag along. Victor is reminded of his childhood because of his encounter with Thomas. On the way back, Thomas and Victor realize that the trip to Arizona will not affect their friendship back on the reservation. They both know that they will go back to being acquaintances.
    In chapter 8, Victor introduces his aunt who is a sewer. Victor's aunt becomes angry with her family because her husband and son do not take her seriously during an event in which a mouse runs up her pants. She mentions that her son is also a 30 years old and always drunk. Victor also tells two stories related to his aunt, one about a car accident caused by his uncle being drunk and the other about the birth of Victor's cousin.
    In chapter 9, Victor begins to excessively drink again.  He also referred to a lady as the color white and her absence as no color. He also speaks about measuring insomnia in minutes. Later, he says that the lady was at a party with cocaine. Throughout the chapter he refers to color and says that it complicates everything and constantly repeats that all he wanted to do was dance. Towards the end of the chapter, Victor meets an Indian stranger and shares his beer with him. Lastly, the Indian stranger tells Victor how to tell the difference between real Indians and fake Indians. The chapter ends with Victor walking down the road and the idea that Victor may be walking down different paths that may lead him to dancing one day.
   In chapter 10, Thomas Builds-The-Fire is put in a holding cell  for keeping the reservation postmaster as hostage for eight hours using a gun. During his trial, he gave his testimony through one of his stories. He describes a story about how Indians were "captured" by comparing it to ponies. He speaks about justice for the Indians. Lastly, Thomas admits to killing two soldiers and is placed in prison. However, he is content with this because he can share his stories with people who will listen.


Reservation Basketball

On the reservation, basketball was one of the sports. Victor and his friends were once apart of the team. He explains how the reservation basketball teams always do well at the beginning but goes downhill from there. This ties back into the problem of alcohol because it ruins dreams.

"Coyote... was sitting on his cloid the day after he created the Indians" (135).

800 beautiful ponies stolen at once

In chapter 10, Thomas Builds-The-Fire compares the 800 Indian captives to 800 beautiful ponies being stolen during his trial.

Victor shared wine with a stranger

Victor shared his bottle of wine with another Indian in chapter 9. Alcohol was one of the problems on the reservation and for Victor.
Victor's dad said he was the only Indian to see Jimi Hendrix play "The Star-Spangled Banner"