#7 - 11/14/'14

The Autobiographical Narrative by Luther Standing Bear on his first days at Carlisle was very remarkable in my opinion. I find it interesting that "bravery" was so important to the Native Americans; it was as if it were their ideal, symbol of power, and representation of dignity. Even though the protagonist chose this path to seem "brave", I believe that it was just an act with reckless bravado, for it eventually led him to live a unpleasant life forced by the white people. He must have realized what a big mistake he had just made in the course of five years. Also, it was interesting to see that Chief Standing Bear, who was described as a wise "blanket Indian". He retained the tribal custom, and thought that all the things that the white teachers told him were just "sweet talks". Just like this, he was a stubborn, strong-willed, loyal chief. However, later in the narrative, he tells his son, "Try to be like a white man". This suggests that he was accepting the fact that the white men were superior and overpowering, and although the hesitance and reluctance, had to admit that his son would have to learn and adjust to the life of white men in order to survive in the chaotic world. Later, there is a picture of the chief wearing the white men's clothes. His face does not show that he was content with his new life, which shows that he was not comfortable or happy with the fact that he, the blanket Indian, was in the process of becoming more like a white man. Overall, I enjoyed this text.