"Black Elk Speaks"

Paper Summary:

In this paper, Neihardt provides a different historical perspective of pioneer history through the perspective of Black Elk, a Native American. The paper examines how this anthropological dictation not only provides evidence of the genocide and racism that Europeans forced upon the Indians, but also how much more noble and moral Black Elk was though his tradition and honor of treaties. The writer proposes that by getting another perspective to the often-biased American history of how Native Americans are seen, the story of Black Elk resonates the truth of happened during pioneering expansion from the voice of the defeated.

From the Paper:

"In this book review one can analyze the various anthropological dictations of the Native American, Black Elk, who was `interviewed' by the European John Neihardt. By examining various aspects of the expansionist policy of the Europeans who moved into the Dakota tribal region, one can realize an Indian perspective of how they were treated in the ensuing wars. In essence, Neihardt acts as a anthropological investigator that discovers the non-European point of view of the "Indian" Wars' with Black Elk. The purpose of the John Neihardt's book Black Elk Speaks is to give validity to the Native American side of the story when westward expansion was at is peak in the Dakota regions of the Old West. Neihardt's mission is to convey a different story of early pioneer European expansion than those found in American history books."

More papers on "Black Elk Speaks" :

• Book Review # 32468 : " "Black Elk Speaks"
• Essay # 73833 : "Black Elk Speaks"
• Book Review # 114541 : "John Neihardt's "Black Elk Speaks"

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