Reading # 5 question 5: Examine the illustration on page 166 and the repetition of “laughter” on 166 and 167. What is the role of laughter in this chapter? (Jackie)

        In "Wake," there is a constant theme of laughter throughout the chapter. For the Indians, laughter is not only a sign of joy, but also an outlet for grief. Just as we try to release our feelings of sadness, despair, grief, or anger through tears, the Indians do it through laughter. For them, "laughter and tears are pretty much the same thing" (Alexie 166). In the picture drawn on page 166 of this chapter, a person is depicted with a cloud inside its head that is releasing rain. Still, the person is laughing, with water coming out of its mouth. This shows that everybody has a way of coping with their sadness over the loss of somebody else, and that contrary to most people in our community, it is not necessarily crying. For the Indians living on the Spokane reservation that Junior described, it is laughter. For Junior's sister, it is singing sad songs. This outlet varies from person to person. The thing that they all have in common, however, is that none of them keep their pain bottled up inside.