Podcast
Questions and Answers
What section of the book discusses characters struggling with their self-identity?
What section of the book discusses characters struggling with their self-identity?
- Part II: Reclaim
- Part III: Return
- Interlude
- Part I: Remain (correct)
What do we learn about in Part II: Reclaim?
What do we learn about in Part II: Reclaim?
How some characters are interconnected and events happen by coincidence or chance.
What does the Interlude explain?
What does the Interlude explain?
Details about Native American life, including what a powwow is.
What happens in Part III: Return?
What happens in Part III: Return?
Who is Tony Loneman?
Who is Tony Loneman?
What is Dene Oxendene's nickname?
What is Dene Oxendene's nickname?
What is Opal Victoria Bear Shield's role?
What is Opal Victoria Bear Shield's role?
Describe Edwin Black.
Describe Edwin Black.
Who is Bill Davis?
Who is Bill Davis?
What is Calvin Johnson's situation?
What is Calvin Johnson's situation?
Describe Jacquie Red Feather.
Describe Jacquie Red Feather.
What traumatic experience does Jacquie have?
What traumatic experience does Jacquie have?
Who is Orvil Red Feather?
Who is Orvil Red Feather?
What is Dene Oxendene working on?
What is Dene Oxendene working on?
Who is Octavio Gomez?
Who is Octavio Gomez?
What is David Gonzales's role in the story?
What is David Gonzales's role in the story?
Who is Blue?
Who is Blue?
What challenges does Thomas Frank face?
What challenges does Thomas Frank face?
What does Fina tell Orvil?
What does Fina tell Orvil?
What role does Sixto play in Octavio's life?
What role does Sixto play in Octavio's life?
What is the Indian Reorganization Act of 1930?
What is the Indian Reorganization Act of 1930?
What is the purpose of the Indian Termination Policy Period?
What is the purpose of the Indian Termination Policy Period?
What are blood quantum laws?
What are blood quantum laws?
What was the Indian Head Test Pattern?
What was the Indian Head Test Pattern?
What is systemic racism?
What is systemic racism?
What tensions exist between urban and Native Americans from reservations?
What tensions exist between urban and Native Americans from reservations?
What was the aim of American Indian Boarding Schools?
What was the aim of American Indian Boarding Schools?
Study Notes
Characters and Themes
- Remain: Focuses on characters grappling with self-identity and heritage.
- Reclaim: Explores interconnections among characters, emphasizing coincidence and chance events.
Significant Characters
- Tony Loneman (Drome): A Native American dancer.
- Dene Oxendene (Lens): Filmmaker working on a documentary about Native American stories.
- Opal Victoria Bear Shield: Caring for her sister Jacquie's grandchildren.
- Edwin Black: Tech enthusiast, lives with his mother, and works as a grant writer at the Indian Center.
- Bill Davis: Vietnam veteran, Jacquie's boyfriend, critical of the way his girlfriend treats her son Edwin.
- Calvin Johnson: Struggling with debts while living with his sister and working for Octavio.
- Jacquie Red Feather: Newly sober substance abuse counselor and mother of Blue, who faced trauma on Alcatraz.
- Harvey: Jacquie's rapist on Alcatraz, seeks redemption.
- Orvil Red Feather: Learns about his heritage and comes of age at the powwow.
- Thomas Frank: Janitor battling addiction, finds belonging through drumming.
Plot and Events
- Powwow Gathering: Characters converge, each with personal significance related to the event.
- Jacquie's Experiences: History of substance abuse and trauma, leading to her role as a counselor.
- Robbery Planning: Octavio, an alcoholic, and David, who crafted 3D guns, plan a powwow robbery.
Historical Context
- Indian Reorganization Act of 1930: Introduced federal subsidies for tribes adopting U.S.-style governance.
- Indian Termination Policy Period: Laws aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society.
- Blood Quantum: Determines Native American status based on ancestry fractions.
Cultural Elements
- Powwow Significance: A space for Native American unity through songs and dances.
- Urban vs Reservation Tensions: Identity struggles between urban natives and those on reservations.
Key Concepts
- Systemic Racism: Involves pervasive societal attitudes and institutions.
- Indian Head Test Pattern: Historic television test pattern introduced in 1939.
- American Indian Boarding School: Institutions aimed at altering Native American youth's cultural identity.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key concepts and vocabulary from Tommy Orange's 'There There'. This flashcard set covers essential terms that relate to character identity and interconnections within the narrative. Test your understanding of the themes presented in the book.
