Native American Exploration Narrative
Zielinski 1 Nate Zielinski Mr. Manwell Honors English II / Period 7 27 October 2015 AMDG Understanding Native American Myth and European Exploration Narrative Narratives exist for many purposes, but they all intend to give a glimpse into the lives of their respective authors. Native American myth and European exploration narratives seek to accomplish the same goals; they explain the worldview of two distinct cultures, and they also frame a larger conflict between the Europeans and Native Americans. Understanding the deeper meanings behind these seemingly petty or exaggerated anecdotes can help frame the life of the author and his or her society. By analyzing the diction and way in which they tell the story, deep-rooted beliefs and biases …show more content…
Native Americans believe a hero is one who commits great feats and is a benefit to his or her society, while the Europeans believe a hero is constituted by the materials he owns and the people or places he conquers. For example, Man-Eagle tells Son of Light, who is a cultural hero on a quest to save his wife, “You’re speaking big words, but first you’ll have a contest with me” (Pyramid 39). This shows Native Americans value bravery and selflessness, and only those who help others can succeed in their society. The European perspective of a hero differs greatly from this, and it is yet another cause of conflict between the two societies. Cabeza de Vaca considers himself a hero because he sees the Europeans as the liberators and saviors of the Native Americans, when really they are in America to manipulate and steal from them. He kidnaps Natives to serve as liaisons and doesn’t release them until they are asked for by their tribe. De Vaca also thinks he is personally chosen by God. and thus is granted special abilities and privileges. When a Native man dies, de Vaca “Prayed to Our Lord to restore his health” and the man supposedly rises from the dead (Cabeza de Vaca 65). Even though this is physically impossible, de Vaca is convinced his expedition is willed by God, and he is a hero only in his own mind. Ultimately, the Native Americans aren’t as concerned being called a hero, while expedition leaders have a habit of bestowing the title of hero
Native American Perspectives On The Lewis And Clark Expedition
714 Words | 3 PagesIn the year 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, alongside 31 other people, set out to find the source of the Mississippi and “discover” the land that they had bought from the French-- Louisiana. This expedition was by the command, and in the name of, President Thomas Jefferson. However, I believe that the Native Americans were the real heroes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as they guided the group in two (and probably more) instances, and went on to endure the aftermath of the expedition. While this isn’t evidence of them being the real heroes, as it is honestly just disproving the idea that Lewis and Clark are the heroes, the Corps of Discovery didn’t even do anything that great, and are being constantly romanticized by America,
Misconceptions Of Cahokia
338 Words | 2 PagesThey later realized their error when encountered by many different Native American tribes throughout their journeys. What details help to show
Pocahontas And The Powhatan Dilemma Analysis
517 Words | 3 PagesNow we have all heard about the story of Pocahontas, unfortunately many of the stories we were told growing up are not completely true. Camilla Townsend, the author of “Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma”, intends to inform its readers about the evolution of the many lies written and told by the Englishmen regarding their relationships with the Native America peoples that many of us have heard about today. However, Townsend has ineffectively given her readers information about the whole truth to the stories she has written about the many relationships of the English and Native Americans. Firstly, although Townsend claims to have done her research on the topic by reading all the documents written from this time period and beyond, she leaves
Pros And Cons Of Christopher Columbus
859 Words | 4 PagesNor have I heard about a hero that watches people suffer from diseases, rather than helping them. And who knew Columbus had a mind of greed. In his mind, only the thoughts of gold and empowerment was floating around. Ever did he know the Europeans/Spaniards would look up to him. They had followed in his footsteps in wanting to become rich, and they did anything to achieve this goal.
Examples Of Journal Of Christopher Columbus
881 Words | 4 PagesWhat is found to contradict Columbus being a hero is him telling of taking away people against their will to Spain. Just as human souvenirs. His obsessed greed to find wealth within the new world (that he thought to be India) as in spices and silks. On account of Las Casa’s thoughts he expressed great distaste for Columbus in the first place because of his greed blinding him against human rights. He brought sickness, and pain to the people he visited by also rape, theft, disease, and degrading the people he conquered.
Tribal Mentality In Sebastian Junger's Tribe
1258 Words | 6 PagesThe primal instinct of human beings is still felt unconsciously in modern day. The inner workings of modern society’s human psyche and the tribal mentality of the early colonial Native Americans, clash and create conflict. The tribal mentality that Sebastian Junger describes in his novel Tribe seems to be inescapable once experienced. Junger explores the mindset of the Native American and portrays it as irresistible.
Native American History Book Report
1193 Words | 5 PagesAnyone can read a history textbook assigned in class and understand the events in their minds, but understanding the emotion of the people who were there at the events are lost in blank monotone text. Being able to recite events dryly from your textbook is not knowing one’s history. In order to fully understand history, you have to be able to understand every aspect of the events. Every emotion, thought, and desire of the people who were there as the history was made. In order to tell history, you need to attach emotion to the words being expressed so that the reader can fully understand what happened.
Frontiersmen: A Native American Hero
1031 Words | 5 PagesFrontiersmen People first came to America because it is “the land of opportunities” and they want to escape from the control of their government. The east coast was the beginning of the frontier experience when the first settlers came there and when the last western land settled that was the end of the frontier. Because of the harsh life in the frontier and the people who lived there had to do everything by themselves, so they have to be self-reliant. The self-reliant frontiersman who Americans made them the American male hero; this kind of male hero had a strong body and rugged because of the condition of the frontier life. They have skilled with guns and other weapons, also they don’t need any help from others and they often be alone in
Diary Of Undocumented Immigrant Analysis
937 Words | 4 PagesIn which case Ramon Perez is very much a hero. First off, when observed from a literary stance it’s difficult to not notice Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, or hero’s journey, template present in Perez’s writing. The monomyth template is as followed: “A boy
Native American Autobiography
776 Words | 4 PagesI was born a mystery, no one thought a small Native American girl living in a tribe would grow up to be the most famous Native American. In 24 short years I would accomplish more than people would in their whole life. Background info (birthplace, birthdate, any relevant childhood info., relevant relationship info., etc.): I was born in 1788 in the Shoshone tribe, my mother worked cleaning the house and gathering food, while my father was the tribal chief. My brother’s name was Cameahwait and my sister’s name was Pine Girl, I had a wonderful family.
Native American Journeys
370 Words | 2 PagesThe first Europeans took on one of the largest journeys by crossing the Atlantic Ocean on their way to find what they first thought was India. Christopher Columbus and his crew experienced the dangerous journey to the new world with their three ships. This is one of the most important themes that the new settlers could document. A second part the journey was finally arriving on land an making contact with the Native American tribes that lived there. Native Americans were a topic that was arguably more important than say the new goods and diseases they took back with them to Europe.
Cherokee Intership Narrative
873 Words | 4 PagesRecently I have heard the Cherokee ledged of two wolves. In this story a grandfather tells his grandson that every one has two wolves inside them that are always in constant battle with each other. One from the light which represents hope, self esteem, courage and faith. The other is from the dark side which represents depression, fear, anger and guilt. The grandson asks the grandfather which one wins and the grandfather simply replies it is the one you feed.
Christopher Columbus Perception Of Religion
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Cabeza De Vaca Analysis
654 Words | 3 PagesA Wise European Perspective Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was born in 1490 in Jerez de la Frontera and passed away in 1558 (cite). He was second in command and treasurer in Narvaez’s Florida Expedition. Cabeza de Vaca writes a somewhat narrative of everything he experienced upon his arrival in the Americas. Cabeza de Vaca uses a first-person point of view to narrate his experiences sailing and meeting Native Americans. The author demonstrates how the Natives were not barbarians nor savages, by conveying the theme to help others in need.
Hernan Cortes Hero
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