how does violence/bullying in Reardan and/or Wellpinit affect the way he views himself?

Unfortunately for Arnold violence is a fact of life whether he is in the Indian world of Wellpinit or the white world of Reardan. Being different on the Rez is not a good thing. Arnold's big "water head", his pencil thin body, and his big feet set him up as the prime kid to bully on the Rez. In Rearden, Arnold is tested right away by the big football player Roger. Ironically Arnold earns the respect of his white classmates before most of the people in Wellpinit. Arnold accepts violence and bullying as a natural part of his living experience. He usually handles it with wit and his self-deprecating humor. I think as Arnold matures he becomes more confident until the bullying ceases in Reardan and I think eventually in Wellpinit.