What did Linda teach John as a boy that gave him a feeling of superiority over the man Indian boys?

• A. To swim.
• B. To read.
• C. To hunt.
• D. To dance.

Answer: (B)

Literacy is the power here. When Linda teaches John to read, he gains access to books, stories, and ideas that the man Indian boys around him don’t have. Reading broadens his world, exposes him to language and culture, and lets him think about things beyond everyday life. That ability to understand and imagine beyond what’s spoken or shown makes him feel intellectually superior. The other activities—swimming, hunting, dancing—are valuable skills but don’t give the unique edge that reading does, because they don’t open up knowledge and critical thinking in the same way.