Question

Why is Junior surprised by the outpouring of sympathy he receives from his classmates at Reardan?

Answer 1

Junior is surprised by the outpouring of sympathy he receives from his classmates at Reardan because he is used to being treated as an outsider and an outcast at his previous school on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He was often subjected to name-calling, bullying, and ridicule there. In contrast, the students at Reardan, who come from a more privileged background, show him kindness and empathy. Junior had expected to be treated poorly due to his background and reservations, but instead, he finds himself being embraced and accepted by his new classmates. This unexpected compassion and sympathy surprises Junior and challenges his prior beliefs about how he would be treated outside of his reservation.