Parents, pg 12.Despite the fact that Arnold's parents are alcoholics he holds them up to a positive level. He realizes their errors, but states "they are sad drunks." He knows that his parents love him, despite their imperfections they love him in their own way. Arnold realizes that his parents have a just form of punishment and, that they always support his events. He says, "Yep my daddy was an undependable drunk. But he'd never missed any of my organized games, concerts, plays or picnics. He may not have loved me perfectly, but he loved me as well as he could." His parents aren't the best, but he realizes that they try the best to their ability despite not having accomplished dreams of their own.
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grandmother spirit, pg 69.Grandma Spirit is a unique relative who impacts Arnold significantly. Grandma Spirit was one of the few Indians who still keep it traditional by going to pow-wows and; she did not have an alcoholic vice as other Indians. She gives Arnold advice about situations he is confused or lost. Arnold about his grandmother says, "Maybe Grandma was right. Maybe I had challenged the alpha dog and was now being rewarded for it. I love my grandmother. She's the smartest person on the planet." When Grandma Spirit dies, Arnold feels anger towards the world because even though she died because of a drunk driver, she forgave her killer and wanted her family to forgive him too.
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alcoholic dad, pg 107.When Arnold catches Penelope throwing up, he realizes she is anorexic. Penelope says that she’s not anorexic, she’s bulimic. Jr is unfamiliar with the two and asks her what the difference is. She replies, “ Anorexics are anorexics all the time. I’m only anorexic when I’m throwing up.” Arnold thinks that she is talking just like her dad when he speaks about alcohol. He reflects on the addictions with saying, “There are all kinds of addicts, I guess. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away. Penelope gorges on her pain and then throws it up and flushes it away. My dad drinks his pain away.” He told Penelope to not give-up. Arnold believes that what he is saying is super corny but then realizes that those three words are significant to someone who has a lot of pain. Penelope bonds with Arnold because she gushed out her feelings and they develop a connection.
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