#5. What does Arnold hide and ultimately reveal in “Dance Dance Dance?” What does he learn? Be sure to discuss the final sentence on page 129. (Zoe B.)

In “Dance Dance Dance,” Arnold hides that he’s poor and sometimes doesn’t have enough money to buy lunch. Arnold had hidden his poverty for so long because he was afraid of what his friends would think of his life style. He was afraid Penelope would leave him because he didn’t have enough money. He lets the other students believe that he’s middle class because his family owns a casino. In this chapter he learns that people can be helpful and friendly if you let them. This quote shows Arnold’s realization. “If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.” (Alexie 129) When Penelope found out she didn’t walk away as Arnold expected. She was shocked that he had to walk all the way home sometimes and she asked Roger to drive him home. Arnold learned that if he asks for help instead of hiding what’s wrong his friends could help him find a solution.