1. Blog post title: Empowerment: By the end of the novel, Rat states, “Jun – no longer Rat. My name is Jun-Jun” (p.217). What can be inferred about Rat’s new sense of self? How have Raphael and Gardo enabled this transformation?

By the end of the novel, Rat states, “Jun-no longer Rat. My name is Jun-Jun (pg.217). In my opinion Jun-Jun says this to himself because before Jun-Jun met Raphael and Gardo he was always alone and had nobody to take care of him, he had no respect and no friends so he was even called Rat but after all these troubles with Jun-Jun’s new mates Raphael and Gardo he got some strong confidence. Raphael and Gardo made this happen by caring Jun-Jun, helping each other and being friends with him. After this transformation Jun-Jun must have felt proud, happy and gained confidence because, he now has real friends and someone to take care of each other.