Sunday, January 27, 2013
"Hush;
my little daughter must never talk about my tears;" and smiling through
them, she patted my head and said, "Now let me see how fast you can run
to-day." Whereupon I tore away at my highest possible speed, with my long
black hair blowing in the breeze. Impressions of an Indian Childhood – Zitkala-Sa
Zitkala-sa depicts her relationship with her mother as
a supportive, strong, and caring. She described her mother as often sad and
silent. The fact of admiring her mother was clearly portrayed when Zitkala begged
to tell her about the reason behind her tears as well as when she promised her
mother that she wouldn't have to come for water, because when she grow up she
will do that for her. Eventually, Zitkala knew the reason that made her mother
sad; they are the paleface missionaries. The latter who heartlessly defrauded
them and stole their lands; they forced them to travel in e very harsh
circumstances which caused the death of many Indians including Zitkala's sister
and uncle.
Unlike her mother and because she was too young to know
what the white man is planning for them (for natives), Zitkara's attitudes
towards the paleface man were positive and candid. When her older brother came
from the three years education in the east and told his mother that the
missionaries are interested in taking his little sister too. Her curiosity and
intense desire to see the wonderful eastern land increased as her friend
Judéwin is also going home with the missionaries. The poor little Zitkala, she
was seeking better future and better life, she didn't know the hidden motive
behind the white man education.
Quickly, Zitkala was disappointed because her pie in
the sky dream became a nightmare; she missed her mother and she was unhappy.
The poor Zitkala, she felled in the trap of temptation; she left her culture
behind, and now she is struggling not to be a part of the whites’ culture. However,
her resistance to protect her identity from the so called civilization of the
whites was of no avail. They cut her hair and changed her look against her will.
One wonders what kind of civilization is this that deprives the indigenous from
their spirit, identity and culture.
As I compare the tow strategies of both writers Harriet
Beecher Stowe and Zitkala I can see that they are similar and different in many
ways. Both writers use sentimental language as they depict the hardship and the
suffering of the minorities living in the America. Both narratives came from the heart of the
two writers; this is why we, readers, feel touched and sympathized with the tow
writers.
Another common thing between the two writers is that
both of them are women. Harriet Beecher Stowe portrayed women in her novel as
morally conscientious, committed, and courageous. As well, Zitkala depicted
herself as a rebellious girl who decided to resist the unfair restriction of
the white man. Thus, we can say that the two writers reflect part of feminist literature
in America as well as the role played by women in shaping a new democratic state.
