Reading #2 - Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the quote “We were supposed to kill the Indian to save the child” (35).

Parker Lewis-Pierce 

11/13/18

English 7B

           This quote is supposed to explain how white people on the reservation are trying to kill Native American culture inside the children on the reservation to make the "more white". Before this quote, Mr. P had just come to visit Junior after he hit him in the face with a book during school. Mr. P explains to Junior how they were trying to kill Indian culture, and how Junior needs to get off the reservation. Mr. P gives a further explanation later in their conversation, saying "We were supposed to make you give up being Indian. Your songs and stories and language and dancing"(Alexie, 35). The significance of this quote is that it shows how in or world today, and in this book, even after "solving" the problem with Native Americans, we are still trying to erase their culture and make them more white. This is also another reason that Mr. P gives to Junior as a way of convincing him to go to Rearden. In conclusion, the significance of this quote is that it shows how the United States today is still trying to erase Native American culture in reservations.