The Toughest Indian In The World Chapter Summary

The Protagonist in The Toughest Indian in the World assigns meaning to life by living in the modern world while staying in touch with his traditions, creating a conflict in the Spokane Indian to develop his identity.

Being a Spokane Indian, the protagonist has a strong bind with traditions, making them essential to build up his identity. For example, when introducing himself, he highlights the impact picking up Indian hitchhikers has made in his life; “Being a Spokane Indian, I only pick up Indian hitchhikers. I learned this particular ceremony from my father, a Coeur d’Alêne,” This demonstrates the connection the protagonist feels towards his Indian roots from which he defines his goals and purposes in life. With this, he implies he wants to live in the modern world but keep
The silence is not about hate or pain or fear.” This illustrates how the protagonist wants to demonstrate to the White society that Indians can be successful by living in the modern world and working in it but always keeping his Indian values and traditions. Additionally, the protagonist gives tribute to his family and community by showing that Indians can succeed and coexist with the White society proving he is very mature. In conclusion, the character assigns meaning to life by paying tribute to his Indian community and demonstrating to different societies that Indians can be very successful and can coexist with the White society, leaving behind remorse.

The Spokane Indian in The Toughest Indian in the World, also assigns meaning to life through generosity, a value he learned from his Indian community, who see themselves as a family, a value that is essential for his identity. For example when the protagonist is recounting how his family used to pick up hitchhikers he reveals, “ ‘Make