A Character Question
The novel follows 12 characters as they make their way to a powwow. Which of the characters did you find to be the most interesting or compelling or troubling? Why? What does your selected character add to the story in terms of conflict/tension, symbolism, or theme.
Comments
As time goes on, Opal's mother dies and the girls are sent to live with Ronald, their mom's adoptive brother, who the girls are not too fond of. Opal orchestrates an escape plan to protect herself and her pregnant sister, so she hits Ronald on the head with a bat. The girls have to live in and out of homeless shelters for a while, which is where Opal meets Lucus, Dene Oxendene's uncle. However, he ends up leaving to go pursue his career. As time goes on and the girls grow up, Jacquie ends up having another child who has three kids, but the mother of the kids killed herself. As a result, Opal takes in Jacquie's grandchildren due to Jacquie's drinking problem. Opal's selfless act of taking in these children makes her one of the most captivating characters. She has been a protector throughout this whole book. Through all the hardship she had to go through and all the people she has lost, she still remained strong. It's different to see the younger sibling be the protector and hero of their story despite losing a mom and having to take in her great-nephews. As an older woman, she still protects the children like they are her own and works hard every day to make ends meet.
Another reason why Opal is so interesting is because of her connection to symbolism in the story. Spiders and spider webs play a main role in the book. Opal and her great-nephew, Orvil, both have described spider legs coming out lumps of their body. The spider legs in Opal appear after escaping from Ronald's house. This could symbolize her emergence into a new life. Opal's mother described spider webs as both a home and a trap and the legs coming out of her body could mean her escaping her home that she was also trapped in.
Lastly, Opal has a strong superstition about even numbers. She believes that odd numbers are bad and even numbers are good. This connects to the end of the novel when the readers have to assume Orvil's fate by the even number of times the door swings open. This was an interesting ending to the story and it wouldn't have happened without Opal complex character development. Opal has the most layers and hidden meaning out of all the characters in the book, which makes her the most compelling.
Carlie McIntyre
In terms of symbolism, as Tony dies at the close of the novel, he discusses a childhood memory of him playing with his Transformers. In this memory, he says the game is always the same: “there is a battle, then a betrayal, then a sacrifice” (Orange 289). Further, he says that “if you get a chance to die, to save someone else, you take it” (Orange 290). Tony’s transformers in his dream symbolize his and his accomplices at the powwow. While this symbolism is at the very end of the book, it adds another layer to Tony’s character. He wasn’t the one to betray everyone else, but he was the one to sacrifice himself. When Charles and Carlos turn on everyone, he knows that he has to kill them to stop more violence, even if that means getting himself killed. Throughout the novel, while Tony involved in the plan to rob the powwow, he shows hesitance, not truly wanting to commit such a heinous act. After he drops off the bullets, Tony feels regret about what he got himself into, with “his heart [...] in his ears” while he was “wondering how he had wound up here under the moon, under looming coliseum walls, hiding bullets in bushes” (Orange 143). Tony’s a compelling character because he makes bad choices merely because he wants validation, and for someone to see him, which is relatable to many people.
That being said, all of the characters, however, are interesting and compelling as well; each one brings a new, different, and exciting story into the novel.
Marisa Helff
Krish Patel
I agree with you that Tony Loneman was a fascinating character. As you mentioned, Tony was hesitant about the plan and weary unlike his peers. He was involved in a terrible crime however unlike his fellow robbers, Tony had a realization as he lay dying and was able to reflect on who he was. He thinks to himself, "He was never Tony just like he was never the Drome. Both were masks" (Orange 288). In this scene it is revealed that his character is much more than the violent, angry Tony readers have come to know. As you mentioned, he then goes in depth about childhood memories and saving someone if you have the opportunity. This scene depicts Tony at a deeper level that goes beyond the surface of hate-filled 21 year old. As a result this depth makes his character more intriguing to read about.
Katy Pedersen
At the powwow, Thomas talks with Bobby and thanks him for asking him to come out to the powwow, even though he knows it wasn't a personal favor. Thomas is just extremely passionate about singing and drumming and is thankful for all of the opportunities he gets to share what is "in the song and about what the song's about" (262). Thomas' passion contributes so much to his character, not only in his music, but also in the way he interacts with other people. For example, he looks for blue so that he can apologize and give his music a chance to be more authentic, but he only finds that she is occupied by someone else yelling at her.
During the shooting, Thomas starts off optimistic, hoping the gunshots aren't gunshots, but he soon can no longer deny that they are; he gets shot in the neck. Someone helps him and tries to stop the bleeding in his neck, but Thomas just wanted to sleep. His last chapter ends with: "He's here, and he's dying, and it's okay" (275). This says a lot about Thomas as a character and how he developed. He used to turn to drugs to outrun a problem as small as eczema, but when he finds himself dying and helpless, he finds peace in it. I think that in part his ability to do this stems from his love for the arts and music, and his talent for finding good in misfortune- just like he did with his heart arrhythmia.
I agree that Octavio Gomez was an extremely compelling character. Learning about all of the trauma he and his family faced helped the readers understand so much about him as a character. I agree that his past no doubt played a major role in his violence throughout the book. At the end, when he is eventually shot by Carlos, I think that he felt betrayed. He met a violent end as he lived a violent life, and it did seem almost as though his life came full circle. It is difficult not to wonder what other life could have been offered to him if his circumstances were different, or if he was always going to end with this young and tragic death.
Amanda Teodoro
I agree with you in that Octavio Gomez was one of the most interesting and compelling characters in the book. He loved his family very much, but tragic events occurred throughout his life. He lost his mom and brother to a car accident and his dad was shot at home. He decided he was going to rob the Oakland Powwow with Carlos because wanted to fix things at home and pay off his debt. This added to the conflict of the story. I also agree when you say that it added to the theme of violence. Octavio suffered great loss, sorrow and violence in his life, which made me think he was one of the most interesting characters in the novel.
Amanda Teodoro
One motif that is most prevalent throughout the book is addiction. For example, readers become familiar with Jacquie Red Feather’s alcohol addiction when she drinks in the beginning of the novel as an 18-year-old. From her sister Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield’s perspective, she describes how Jacquie’s friends are passing around a bottle of alcohol on the beach. When Jacquie receives the bottle, “she [drinks] long and hard from it” (Orange 52). Jacquie, like many other characters in the book who use substances, uses as a way of dealing with hardships in life. Jaquie’s mom dies when she is young and she finds out she is pregnant from a rape shortly after. At 60 years old, Jacquie is only on an 11-day sobriety streak. Although most people think of addiction in the form of drugs and alcohol, another character, Edwin Black, is addicted to his computer. He has spent the last four years “sitting, staring into [his] computer at the internet” (63). The addiction stems from Edwin’s insecurities, as he continuously makes comments about his weight. Edwin’s lack of confidence has led him to a lonely and depressed mindset, in which he does not want to leave his room.
Race/Culture
Another motif that is repeatedly mentioned in the novel is race/culture. Expressing Native Americcan culture and feeling accepted in the Native community is important to all of the characters. For instance, Dene Oxendene is collecting Native American stories and feels a responsibility for making sure everyone understands Native background. When Dene first meets Rob, he “wants to tell him it’s what happened to the Native people, he wants to explain that they’re not the same” (39). Many people who are non-Native are unaware of the struggles that the Native Americans face in their culture. Another racial issue presented in the book is that some of the characters do not feel like they fit into the Native community. Edwin lives at home with his mother, and has never met his birth father. This makes Edwin only half-Native, because his father is Native and his mother is white. As a result of never having met his father Edwin feels disconnected from his Native side. He has always wondered what tribe he comes from, and finds out he is Cheyenne after connecting with his father through Facebook. This discovery gives Edwin an elevated sense of self-confidence.
Storytelling is important to the Native Community
Although each character lives their own unique life, storytelling is an aspect of Native culture that all Native Americans share. Storytelling connects the Native people and brings them all closer together. Storytelling is especially important in the lives of Jacquie and Opal. Before her passing, Opal’s mother reminds her that telling stories is the only way that people will begin to truly understand what it means to be a Native American. To make the injustices of the government right, “what [they] could do had everything to do with being able to understand where [they] came from, what happened to [their] people, and how to honor them by living right, by telling [their] stories” (58). Native American history is held through their stories and they continue to be shared by tradition. Furthermore, Dene’s role in the book is to collect Native stories, because he wants the community to become more understanding of them. Native American hardships are often overlooked by the community and storytelling provides a means of change and justice for the Native Americans.
My favorite character in the book is Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield. I find that she has many admirable qualities, and is a character that someone could look up to. After her mom dies when Opal is only 12 years old, Opal and her older sister Jacquie are forced to live a more independent lifestyle. As Jacquie struggles with alcoholism and her new pregnancy, Opal does her best to keep Jacquie optimistic. Now that Opal and Jacquie are forced to live with an uncle that they barely know, Jacquie complains that their life is hopeless. Opal reassures her by saying, “Yeah, Mom’s dead, I know. We’re alone, but we’re not dead. It’s not over. We can’t just give up, Jacquie. Right?” (60). Opal’s hopeful outlook is inspirational during a difficult time in the lives of her and her sister. Later in life, Opal and Jacquie are elderly and Opal is raising Jacquie’s grandchildren. Although “Jacquie’s latest relapse had not left burn holes in her life,” Opal takes on the responsibility of watching her grandchildren (99). This not only shows Opal’s strength in character, but the love she has for her sister and the rest of her family. Opal cares enough about her sister to help her out in a time of need.
Ava Galdenzi
I agree with you because I also feel that Orvil Red-Feather was an interesting character. I loved how Orvil was so intrigued by his culture despite it being hidden from him by Opal. He was proud of his heritage which could be seen when he would dance in his regalia when nobody could see. Him and his brothers even snuck out to the powwow so that Orvil could participate in the contest. His passion for his culture makes him a defining character because many of the other characters struggled through their journey to accept and cherish their culture. Another important part of Orvil is the spider legs in his leg. These legs represent him being trapped by his family from truly being able to celebrate his culture like he would like to.
Ava Galdenzi
I also think Jacquie was a very compelling character in the novel. Her struggles with family and with alcoholism made me feel sympathetic. Jacquie and her family were forced to abandon their own home due to eviction, but their move to Alcatraz took tolls on all of them. Jacquie was raped by Harvey, and was then forced to bear the child, who she put up for adoption. Jacquie and Opal were then forced to live with Ronald, who did not provide a safe environment for them to live in, and Opal hit him with a bat so they could escape. Although Jacquie may not have been mentally or physically prepared to care for her own child at such a young age, ultimately forcing her to put Blue up for adoption, the rape, the birth, and the choice to put Blue up for adoption all took tolls on her, adding to her history of struggles. As you mentioned, her self-medication with alcohol was to fill the emptiness and loss she had experienced all throughout her life, making her character even more compelling. Overall, Jacquie's struggles with loss and alcoholism influenced many of her thoughts and actions in the book, and made me become more interested in her life.
The tragedy that follows Jacquie throughout her entire life makes me feel sympathy for her, which is why she was the most interesting character to me. First, Jacquie has to give up a baby as a teenager, then she loses her daughter and has to give up her grandsons after her alcoholism spirals out of control. Towards the end of the book, she brings her grandson, Orvil, to the hospital after he is shot and has to wait to find out if one of the grandsons she abandoned is still alive. Jacquie as a character also adds to the conflict of addiction throughout the book. Many of the characters have an addiction, whether it is to alcohol or the internet. The readers see Jacquie struggle with her alcoholism when she has to remove the mini fridge from her hotel room to abstain from drinking. Ultimately, we see Jacquie succeed with her sobriety and make it back to her grandsons and sister in Oakland at the end of the novel. The readers get to see Jacquie overcome the tragedy in her life and help her grandson when he needs it the most. Jacquie's character not only intrigues me because of her lifelong tragedy, but she inspires me because she is able to move past it.
I completely agree with you about the growth the Bill went through. He is a character that may not have influenced the plot as much as the others, but it was still great to see his development. This growth that Orange was able to convey in just a few short chapters makes him just as important as all the others. I think that's what makes him interesting to me. We don't have a lot of Bill's plot, but Orange was able to make the character just as significant as everyone else.
Stephanie Sudusky
I love your insights into Thomas's character. I can also relate to his love of music. I think that Orange knew that creating a character with a love for music would help readers feel closer to him, and hopefully sympathize with him when he struggles. I also think that the fact that he pursued his love of music even after losing his job due to his drinking illustrates the resilience of his character. Much like Jacquie, he was able to keep going despite his drinking problem. He further adds to the theme of native resilience throughout the book, where characters continue to pursue their passions and live their lives to the best of their abilities even while dealing with crippling trauma.
Stephanie Sudusky
As you mentioned in your answer, one of the interesting aspects of Jacquie was meeting her daughter Blue along the way. I personally believe Blue to be an intriguing character as well because of how she is portrayed. Orange describes her hiding from her abusive husband and the scene was rather intense because you felt like you were hiding along with her. Blue adds to the theme of strong women in this novel because like others such as Opal Viola and Octavio's grandmother,she is faced with adversity but is able to find strength and overcome her obstacle.
Katy Pedersen
I really liked how you discussed one of the more "underrated characters". It is easy to see the development of the more popular characters like Jacquie from resenting her grand kids to going out the see them again or Orvil who always wondered about his culture to going to seek it out at the powwow. However, I like how you examined Bill's development from resenting the way Edwin acted to truly caring about his safety when the gunshots went off. It was a bittersweet moment for those characters in a time of tragedy.
Ava Galdenzi
Yes I completely agree with your connection to Jacquie and Native Americans in general. I think Orange portrayed each character in this novel to have hardships on purpose, to make it known to the whole world, especially those in America, that the Natives have suffered tremendously, whether it be financially, racially, culturally, etc. Since Orange is a Native American himself, I agree that this story was his voice to society about how Native Americans struggle due to the dominance of the new American society that has forced them into isolation.
I love your insight on the character of Jacquie and I agree with you that she is an admirable character. Your comment about how she is a substance abuse counselor yet struggles to stay sober herself shows that she cares enough to use her own negative experiences in order to help others in the community. I also agree that she was one of the characters who had a more traumatic childhood due to her rape and loss of her mother at a young age. Her resilience from a harsh childhood truly showed her growth in character throughout the book.
Izabella Mott
I agree with your opinion on Bill Davis. I definitely think that his character was overlooked in the novel and I’m glad you pointed out his feelings towards Edwin. At first, Bill almost resented Edwin, but his actions in the end of the novel show how his original feelings were surpassed by his worry for Edwin’s safety.
Izabella Mott
Izabella Mott
I agree with you that Tony is an interesting character to follow. Since he began the book I felt connected to him as a reader like you explained. The aspect of starting and ending the novel with him makes him feel like one of the most important/main characters to the story. Since he essentially first 'greets' and then 'leaves' the reader, it can give a sense of welcome and closure. I feel that this was an important strategy that Orange did purposefully in order to emphasize the importance of his character.
Jetta Powers
Jetta Powers
I agree that Edwin is a compelling character, and his addiction to the internet was important foreshadowing element that leaves us to believe that he is Harvey's son. We meet Edwin when he is trying to get in contact with Harvey, and we immediately see that they are similar in character: Edwin is demotivated and has been lackadaisical about finding a job as Harvey has been demotivated since he lost contact with Jacquie. As you said, Edwin is hooked on the internet and Harvey clings to alcohol. The similarities in character are hard to avoid and were important hints to me (and readers in general) that Harvey and Edwin are related.
I like how you dug deep into the meaning of addiction and explained how Orange portrays Edwin Black's addiction different from alcohol. I think you did a great job of finding something completely new to discuss. To add onto your explanation, I think by showing that Edwin is addicted to the internet, Orange might be portraying how he (Edwin) has little to do outside that relates to his culture and identity. And like you said, he might be feeling embarrassed or afraid of his identity.
You had a wonderful response! You also allowed me to see something that I did not identify when reading. Something that we as a society see time and time again is that people are the product of their environment. If someone grows up around violence, it is not uncommon for that person to become violent as well. Maybe Octavio’s violent acts stem from the fact that his own father was shot in his house.
I completely agree with you in your belief that TOny Loneman being one of the most interesting out every character. He truly was the only person who seemed guilty or hesitant to commit such a horrible crime and the only one to realize the magnitude of what he was involved in; something that no other character felt.
Calley Marcarelli