Reservation Blues #3

I feel as though during this section of the story, we begin to realize why Victor is the way he is. It was explained towards the beginning of the story that he was an alchoholic. He constantly asked Junior to go get a beer and it was something that happened almost every single day. He acted out in ways of violence. For example, by smashing Robert'sThomas's guitar on the ground and causing him to cry. The author explains, "Victor released Thomas from the headlock but picked up the guitar and smashed it against the sidewalk... 'There,' Victor said. 'Now you can play the song'"(15). It is then declared in chapter 7 as to why Victor is the way he is. We also see a major role added to the story in the character of Big Mom. We realize how forgiving and how influential her character is towards others in chapter 7. She says to Victor, "'Victor,' Big Mom said, 'you should forgive that priest who hurt you when you were little. That will give you power over him, you know? Forgiveness is magic, too.' 'What are you talking about?' Victor asked, but he knew. He still felt the priest's hands on his body after all those years" (203). I feel as though this quote is extremely influential on the entire story as a whole. For example,Big Mom says that by forgiving someone, it is for yourself not for the other person. I completely agree with this statement. Although it may be a difficult decision, I believe that in life, we are faced with challenges where we are hurt by others and it is up to us whether to forgive or hold onto what is hurting us. I feel as though Big Mom's statement provides a theme for this story that forgiveness is not for the other person, it is for yourself.