Chicks On Lit discussion

Ok, I have a very important question about this novel. Any help would be much appreciated.

WARNING: THIS QUESTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!

I have started to teach "Diary" to my freshmen in lit. circles. My kids and I have been talking up the novel so much that other teachers read it as well. One of my really good friends read the novel and proceeded to ask "Why does Rowdy die at the end?" Shocked, I responded "He doesn't die!" She then directed me to the concluding page of the novel, where it may or may not be implied that Rowdy dies. Originally, I had read this excerpt as a metaphorical death of Jr and Rowdy's friendship, but after much debate the topic remains open.

Please help!!

Hi Ms. R,
I read this book, but borrowed it from the library so can't look at the page you are questioning. I remember that alot of people do die in the book, but can't specifically recall Rowdy dying. Could you post the passage here that you are questioning, since I can't recall it?

Sure!

"I would always love Rowdy. And I would always miss him, too. Just as I would always love and miss my grandmother, my big sister, and Eugene. Just as I would always love and miss my reservations and my tribe. I hoped and prayed that they would someday forgive me for leaving them. I hoped and prayed that I would someday forgive myself for leaving them" (Alexie 230).

The argument for Rowdy's death being that the other characters mentioned in this excerpt died thus the comparison between them implies Rowdy's death as well.

Thanks for posting. Personally, I don't take that as saying Rowdy died. He does say he will always love and miss his grandma, sister, and Eugene. But he also says he will also always love and miss the reservation and his tribe. But the reservation is still there, the tribe is still there. So if someone is implying that Rowdy has to be dead because 3 people mentioned are dead, then the tribe and reservations would have to be dead and gone too, wouldn't it?
All I get out of this is that Junior has moved on to his new life, and he hopes and prays that they ('they' being Rowdy and the rest of the tribe) will someday forgive him for leaving.

But that is just my thoughts. :o)

I completely agree. I did not think that Rowdy died either. He's moving on. He describes all of these people that he will love and miss. That's how I saw it. I loved that book. I want to read everything he wrote now. He's got a great sense of humor, and the teen voice rings very true.