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zaky
zaky

What is the importance of the following quote from "Sounder":  "but you must learn to lose, son"?

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Posted by zaky on Saturday January 17, 2009 at 10:16 PM and tagged with but you must learn to lose, importance, quotes, sounder.

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  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This is an important quote for a couple of different reasons.  The young (unnamed) boy who is the main character is growing up in the south where racism and violence is very common.  The boy must learn that no matter what he does, he will not be able to win against the mistreatment of the blacks.  If he "learns to lose" then he can move on and build from that.  The boy is able to use that by going out and learning how to read.  He becomes educated so he can provide for his family.  He then comes back home to work the land for his family. 

    This boy is very unselfish and personifies that quote.  But he doesn't let racism rule.  He confronts it with courage and he shows the reader how to survive when it doesn't appear that survival is an option.  He will face a lifetime of loss with an unfair life, but if he learns to lose, he can survive.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/sounder-qn/themes-characters

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    Posted by troutmiller on Saturday January 24, 2009 at 7:15 AM