Smoke Signals

1.   What terrible scene starts off the movie?

A big house fire that killed Thomas’s parents, but the parents through the him out of a window and Arnold caught him and saved him.

2.   What is the significance of Victor’s dad cutting off his hair?

The long hair is significant to Native American culture.

3.   For Native Americans, what is the irony of Independence Day?

Because for America to be independent, they took the Native Americans land.

4.   What story does Thomas share for a ride?

A story of Arnold Joseph being a good hippy in the 1960’s and him getting his picture in magazines.

5.   What does Arlene wake up to one morning after a party? How does this forever change her life?

She wakes up to Victor throwing bottles at Arnold's truck and she says that she won’t let Arnold or her ever drink again. Then Arnold left and never came back.

6.   How does Victor teach Thomas how to be an Indian?

Victor said you have to look mean so people will respect you. He also said that he has to have his hair flow down and not in braids.

7.   Describe Suzy and Arnold’s relationship.

Suzy said it Arnold was like a father to her.

8.   Describe one story that Suzy tells Victor about his dad.

She told him how they met and how Arnold talked about playing basketball with Victor.

9.   How is fire used as a symbol in this movie?

It symbolizes the bad things in the characters life like when Thomas's parents were killed in a fire.