"The Onondaga Madonna"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the Duncan Campbell Scott poem "The Onondaga Madonna" about a native Canadian mother and child. Exploring Scott's cultural and historical background, the author explains that the poet served on Canada's Department of Indian Affairs and was well acquainted with the superstitions and myths of Canadian Indians. Yet despite this familiarity, the author maintains that Scott's description of the Indian community is heartless and cruel. The author therefore concludes that one must read between the lines of this short poem, realizing that the woman and the white man describing her can never learn any more about one another than the 'memories of savagery'.

From the Paper:

"In looking at the opening lines of this short poem, one is struck by the insulting tone taken toward the Indians. It is meant, of course, to represent the white man's view of "this weird and waning race". And, despite being a woman, the poet marks her face as having a tragic savage lurking therein. Again, it is obvious that this is a bitter description of how the white man sees savagery even in a woman's face."

More papers on "The Onondaga Madonna":

• Book Review # 104254 : "The Secret Life of Bees" and the Black Madonna"
• Essay # 585 : "Personal Reflection on the Schone Madonna and Child"
• Essay # 33839 : "Madonna and Child"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: