There there multiple choice quiz

1. In the Edwin Black chapter, what is his relationship to internet usage?

Edwin has an unhealthy relationship with the internet and is basically addicted to it. He spends most of his time online, whether he's playing video games, scrolling through social media, or researching random things. He uses the internet as an escape from reality because he's unhappy with his life. He even creates a better version of himself in the virtual game Second Life, where he has a girlfriend, a job, and a relationship with his dad. The internet gives him a sense of belonging that he doesn't have in real life.

2. What is his relationship to his body?

Edwin has a negative relationship with his body. He has gained a lot of weight and feels uncomfortable with how he looks. He spends so much time sitting at his computer that he barely moves or exercises. He also struggles with constipation, which makes him even more aware of how unhealthy his lifestyle has become. He seems disconnected from his body and often feels ashamed of himself. However, toward the end of the chapter, he starts doing sit-ups, showing that he wants to make a change and take better care of himself.

3. How might his constipation symbolically comment on both consumption of popular culture and constricted Native American expression?

Edwin's constipation can symbolize how he consumes so much popular culture through the internet but doesn't really do anything with it. He spends his days taking in information, entertainment, and social media without expressing himself or doing anything productive. In a similar way, his Native American identity feels trapped inside him because he doesn't know much about his background or how to connect with his culture. He struggles with feeling Native enough, especially since he grew up disconnected from his father and his Native heritage. His constipation represents how he is physically and emotionally stuck, unable to release everything he has been holding inside.

1. Bill Davis is the boyfriend of Edwin's mother. What is his backstory, and how have literacy and baseball impacted his life?

Bill Davis is a Native American man who grew up in Oakland and is in a relationship with Edwin's mother, Karen. He works at the Indian Center and has a complicated relationship with Edwin. Baseball has been an important part of his life, giving him a sense of purpose and something to connect with. Literacy also plays an important role because reading and writing help him understand himself and his experiences.

2. What unexpected object does he see at the stadium?

Bill unexpectedly sees a drone flying over the baseball stadium. This is surprising because it seems out of place and makes him curious about what it is doing there.

In what ways is Calvin Johnson's home life unstable?

Calvin's home life is unstable because his family has gone through a lot of difficulties. His father abandoned the family, and his mother struggled with undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Calvin now lives with his sister Maggie and her daughter Sonny. Although Maggie tries to keep things together, Calvin struggles financially and owes money to his brother Charles. He also gets involved with drugs and dangerous situations, which creates even more problems for his family.

What is the nature of his relationship with Charles?

Charles is Calvin's older brother, and their relationship is complicated and tense. Charles often makes Calvin feel guilty because he owes him money and isn't contributing enough financially. Calvin feels intimidated by Charles, especially when Charles shows up unexpectedly with Carlos. Although they are brothers, their relationship seems to be based more on fear, pressure, and resentment than support.

What does Calvin think is "doomed" (page 97)?

Calvin thinks that the plan Octavio is involving him in is doomed. After drinking with Octavio, Charles, and Carlos, he realizes that he is getting involved in something dangerous. He feels like something terrible is going to happen and that they might not make it back from whatever they are planning.

Who is riding a bicycle at the end of Calvin's chapter?

At the end of the chapter, Calvin notices a mysterious young boy riding a bicycle outside Octavio's house. The boy stares at them without reacting, even when Carlos tries to intimidate him. Calvin notices that the boy's eyes look strange and compares him to Sloth from The Goonies. The boy's appearance adds to Calvin's feeling that something bad is about to happen.

What event does Jacquie attend, and what is the analogy that the main speaker describes in his speech?

Jacquie attends a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conference in Phoenix because she works as a substance abuse counselor. During the conference, a speaker compares the struggles of Native American youth to children jumping out of burning buildings. He explains that instead of just trying to stop the children from jumping, people need to address the conditions that make them feel like jumping is their only option. His point is that Native communities need to focus on the root causes of problems like addiction and suicide rather than just trying to prevent the consequences.

What happened to Jacquie's two daughters?

Jacquie has experienced a lot of loss involving her daughters. When she was seventeen, she gave her first daughter up for adoption because she was young and struggling with her circumstances. Her second daughter, Jamie, struggled with addiction and eventually passed away, leaving behind three sons. Jacquie's addiction also affected her relationship with Jamie, and she carries a lot of guilt about not being there for her. Her grandsons are now being raised by her sister Opal.

Who does Jacquie meet at the AA meeting?

At the AA meeting, Jacquie unexpectedly runs into Harvey, a man she knew when she was younger during the occupation of Alcatraz. Harvey is also the father of the daughter Jacquie gave up for adoption. Their reunion brings back painful memories because of what happened between them when they were younger. Harvey apologizes for his past actions and tells Jacquie that he recently discovered he has a son. He also suggests that they travel to Oakland together for the powwow and possibly try to find their daughter.

Who is Orvil Red Feather, and who does he live with?

Orvil is a fourteen-year-old Native American boy who lives in Oakland with his two younger brothers, Loother and Lony. They are being raised by their great-aunt Opal after their mother, Jamie, died from a drug overdose. Orvil doesn't know much about his Native American heritage because Opal doesn't really talk about it.

Why does Orvil want to learn more about his Native American identity?

Orvil wants to feel connected to his culture and understand what it means to be Native American. Since Opal doesn't teach him much about their traditions, he uses the internet and YouTube to learn about powwows and traditional dancing. He becomes interested in dancing after watching a Native American dancer on TV. He feels like dancing is a way for him to connect with his ancestors and be part of something bigger than himself.

Why doesn't Opal teach the boys about their Native American heritage?

Opal believes that learning about their heritage should be their own choice when they are older. She also worries about the dangers associated with powwows because of her past experiences. She tells Orvil that being Native American isn't about dressing or acting a certain way because they are already Native American regardless of how much they know about their culture.

What does Orvil find in Opal's closet, and what does he do with it?

Orvil finds old Native American regalia in Opal's closet. He secretly tries it on and practices traditional dancing by watching videos online. He wants to participate in the upcoming Oakland powwow, even though he knows Opal wouldn't approve.

Who is Dene Oxendene, and why does Orvil meet with him?

Dene Oxendene is collecting stories from Native Americans for a storytelling project. Orvil meets with him at the Indian Center because he heard that participants would receive $200 for sharing their stories. During the interview, Orvil talks about his childhood and how he and his brothers ended up living with Opal after their mother's overdose.

What unusual thing happens to Orvil's leg?

Orvil notices a bump on his leg that keeps itching. One day, while sitting on the toilet, he pulls something out of the bump and discovers what looks like spider legs. He shows them to his brothers, and they try looking online to figure out what they mean. The spider legs are mysterious and connect to Native American stories and symbolism throughout the novel.

Why do Orvil and his brothers go to the powwow?

Orvil wants to participate in the powwow dance competition and experience his Native American culture firsthand. He has been practicing by watching videos online and is excited to finally dance in front of others. His brothers go with him, and they sneak out without telling Opal because they know she would probably stop them.

What does Orvil say about the importance of Native American traditions?

Orvil believes that traditions like dancing and singing are important because they help keep Native American culture alive. When Lony asks why they can't just create their own traditions, Orvil explains that if they don't continue practicing their culture, it might eventually disappear or be forgotten. This shows how important preserving his heritage is to him.

What is the purpose of the Interlude?

The Interlude explains the importance of Native American identity, culture, and history. It focuses on how Native Americans have experienced discrimination, violence, and loss but continue to preserve their traditions. It also brings the different characters' stories together as they prepare for the Big Oakland Powwow.

Why are powwows important to Native American communities?

Powwows are important because they bring Native Americans together to celebrate their culture and traditions. People travel from different places to dance, sing, and connect with one another. They also give Native Americans a sense of belonging and help preserve their culture for future generations.

What does the Interlude reveal about Native American identity?

The Interlude explains that there isn't just one way to be Native American. Native Americans come from different tribes, backgrounds, and experiences. Some live on reservations, while others live in cities. Even though their experiences are different, they share a history and cultural identity.

What is the significance of blood in the Interlude?

Blood represents both Native American identity and the violence Native Americans have experienced throughout history. The author criticizes blood quantum laws because they determine Native American identity based on ancestry percentages. He also uses blood to symbolize the suffering and loss caused by colonization and discrimination.

What does the author mean when he discusses resilience?

The author challenges the idea that Native Americans should simply be praised for surviving everything they have experienced. He explains that surviving violence and oppression doesn't mean the damage has disappeared. Native Americans still carry the effects of historical trauma, and their suffering shouldn't be ignored just because they have survived.

How does the Interlude connect the past to the present?

The Interlude shows that the violence Native Americans experienced in the past still affects their communities today. Although colonization happened generations ago, its consequences continue through discrimination, poverty, trauma, and struggles with identity. The author wants readers to understand that Native American history isn't something that can simply be forgotten.

What is the significance of the Big Oakland Powwow?

The Big Oakland Powwow represents community, cultural pride, and connection. Native Americans from different places come together to celebrate their shared heritage. It also connects the different characters in the novel because many of their stories are leading them to the same event.

What is the significance of the section titled "Apparent Death"?

This section discusses gun violence and how people have become used to seeing shootings in the news and on social media. The narrator explains that people often think violence is something that happens to others until they experience it themselves. It also creates a sense of danger and foreshadows the possibility of violence at the powwow.

How does the author criticize society's response to violence?

The author suggests that society has become desensitized to violence because people constantly see tragedies online. People might feel sad or share posts about a shooting, but eventually they move on with their lives. He emphasizes that violence feels distant until it directly affects someone we know.

What is the overall message of the Interlude?

I think the overall message is that Native Americans are still dealing with the effects of their history while trying to preserve their culture and identity. The author emphasizes the importance of community and storytelling because they help keep traditions alive. He also reminds readers that Native Americans are not just part of the past but are still here, experiencing struggles and working to maintain their identity today.