Respect from the alpha dog

[Laura]

Do you think that Junior could have earned the same respect from Roger, the alpha dog, another way instead of fighting him?

[Hollie]

Good question Laura. I think Arnold's grandmother was right with her analysis that Roger was the alpha dog that had to push Arnold around to see how he'd respond. I think Arnold probably could have gained Roger's respect by "proving" himself somehow (being a good athlete, pulling a prank on a teacher/principal, etc.) Popping Roger in the nose seemed to be definitely the quickest and most opprotune thing to do--and defintely something that Arnold felt comfortable doing as he thought he WAS playing be the rules.