The Only Good Indians

Jones examines cycles of violence throughout the novel, exposing the ideas and attitudes at the root of colonialism, misogyny, and abuse of nature. However, characters also actively resist and persevere against these systems, remaining resilient in the face of these horrors. What conclusions might one draw about the nature of violence as presented throughout the story and how does resilience play in breaking away from those cycles for the characters? It may be helpful to consider these points as you formulate your response.

• Which characters have been wronged by cycles of violence and how?
• Which characters participate in perpetuating cycles of violence? Are they also victims of violent cycles?
• What are the driving factors behind the kinds of violence depicted in the novel?
• How have characters broken away from these cycles? What do they turn to for resilience?
• What role does resilience play in Denorah’s arc and how does it factor into the novel’s conclusion?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from written copies of the questions to refer to while discussing. Students may also benefit from an opportunity to work in small groups or pairs to address the bulleted points to prepare in-depth answers and refer more directly to the text. Group or personal notetaking may increase information retention in preparation for quizzes and essays.