This is the theme of the novel:-
Racism and discrimination is a major issue in the story. Native Americans were discriminated against by the whites and the whites were discriminated against by Native Americans. Poverty, is seen in every house of the reservation which leads to fights, alcoholism, and deaths.This theme is prevalent throughout the novel. Bullying, teasing, making fun off, calling names were the tortures which Arnold had to go through daily in the reservation as well as at the Reardan High School. Many characters in the story have or have had dreams of their own, as to be something one day. However, many of them have lost hope. Junior as Arnold is called is the only character left who has any hope left. So to fulfill his desires and make his dream come true, he joins the school where everyone is white. A sense of identity and self esteem is something Arnold struggles to find in the beginning of the story,and even in the Reardan High School. However with the help of his coach and his new friend Gordy, he does good academically and in sports-basketball and even makes a few friends.