PTI Essay
More than any other force in the novel, “Home” has the most impact on Arnold. His home in his own words is a prison but, also a beautiful thing. Everything he cares about is there but ever since he left, the people on the reservation feel betrayed.
Your home is the base of all emotions and memories. It is every villain’s weakness. For example, Arnold refers his home to a prison but he also says “My house is a safe place, so Rowdy spends most of his time with us. It's like he's a family member, an extra brother and son.” Even thou rowdy is very though he doesn’t like to admit that his father beats him. Another example of how the Rez hides many of Arnolds emotions is because when Arnold says “It's all your fault," he said. "What's my fault?" I asked. "Your sister is dead because you left us. You killed her." That made me stop laughing. I suddenly felt like I might never laugh again. Rowdy was right. I had killed my sister.” Because he realizes that it is his fault that his sister dies because he left the Rez which forced her into marrying quickly and living in a crappy trailer. But really in no way is Arnold tied in with that. The final reason that Arnolds home is bursting with emotions is because of rowdy. They are best friends and worst enemies, but even thou rowdy is tough and hates the fact that Arnold left the Rez, I think he will still always look out for him and he wont care where he is as long as he is happy. For example, when rowdy says “No, I'm serious. I always knew you were going to leave. I always knew you were going to leave us behind and travel the world. I had this dream about you a few months ago. You were standing on the Great Wall of China. You looked happy. And I was happy for you.”
Memories can be anything, they can be happy, sad, joyous, depressing, exciting, boring, adrenaline-pumping, or make you wish it never happened. For example, when Arnolds grandmother dies he says “tears and laughter are pretty much the same thing”...