I refused to fail. I was smart. I was arrogant. I was lucky. I read books late into the night, until I could barely keep my eyes open.
The author reveals why reading is such a core aspect of his existence and purpose. He came from an "Indian" family where they were set up to systemically fail, but he did not ever let that stop him, but rather give him the courage to strive for what he knew was his calling and passion.
The words inside a paragraph worked together for a common purpose. They had some specific reason for being inside the same fence. Thisknowledge delighted me. I began to think of everything in terms of paragraphs. Our reservation was a small paragraph within the United States. My family'shouse was a paragraph, distinct from the other paragraphs of the LeBrets to the north, the Fords to our south and the Tribal School to the west. Inside ourhouse, each family member existed as a separate paragraph but still had genetics and common experiences to link us. Now, using this logic, I can see mychanged family as an essay of seven paragraphs: mother, father, older brother, the deceased sister, my younger twin sisters and our adopted little brother
This paragraph is so beautiful and carries so much weight. The author views paragraphs as a different interpretation to each individual, being his family members, ones with different characteristics, meaning, and purpose.
My father loved books, and since I loved my father with an aching devotion, I decided to love books as well.
I think many of us can relate to this sentence as it is human nature for a child to admire or look up to an influential adult in their life
Inside ourhouse, each family member existed as a separate paragraph but still had genetics and common experiences to link us.
Reading became a sentimental part of this family, and there is a lot of genuine love tied to literature because of the impact books had on this family.