What are some of the key features that distinguish Indian life and values from white life and values in Sa’s autobiographical account? What are some specific ways she communicates the distinctions?
3 thoughts on “Zitkala Sa and Edward Curtis”
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As previously harped on, the clear cut division between Native and White life can be seen on all fronts. First of all, there is no denying how out of her comfort zone Sa feels in boarding school compared to her traditional western life style. The variety of barriers that becomes ever so present to Sa while in school just paints a picture of how very different both cultures are, as it highlights the true difficulty of trying to cope with a new society on the opposite end of the spectrum of what you are previously accustomed too. For instance, as already mentioned, the train in relation to the prominence of nature in Western life illustrates the battle between industrialization and the preservation of earth. The ignorance of Sa’s teacher in understanding the importance of her braid is another example of a discrepancy between Native and White life. In my eyes, the fundamental difference between these two lifestyles is in the eyes of Natives, staying home and helping out with the family is the standard way of life whereas to Whites, achieving higher education to accomplish something more in life is essential.
Like Anna has explained above, some of the key distinguishing features of Native and White life from the reading center on education, homeland, and cultural ties. The teachers at Sa’s boarding school are all white, indicating the importance of education in predominantly white societies. Moreover, Sa’s transportation via train to the school highlights the significance of industrialization in white culture, and her confusion and discomfort aboard the train point to her preference for nature and unfamiliarity with industrialized life. The teachers’ indifference about cutting Sa’s braid, despite her intense resistance, shows a disparity between the importance and symbolism of hair between white and native cultures. White culture clearly emphasizes the importance of education beyond a rudimentary level. Sa goes to college even after she has received three years of white education despite her mother’s wish for her to remain at home. The suggestion is that family and homeland trump most other aspects of life in Native culture, whereas the significance of educating oneself as much as possible is characteristic of white culture. Sa’s participation in the oration contest exhibits a competitive facet in the white system of education as well.
From the beginning of the reading it is obvious that there are distinctions between Native life and values and White life and values. In her early years, Sa is uncomfortable with the boarding school and misses life out west. She misses nature, doesn’t speak english, and hates the lifestyle she is forced to start living. All of these confirm her closeness to the land and importance of her culture to her, especially dress and language. The boarding school and train exhibit the White preoccupation with industrialization and proper education. One prominent example of the difference between Native life and White life is the disagreement between Sa and her mother. Her mother would rather her live life at home in the West instead of learning the white mans ways at college, but Sa disagrees. Her mother’s reluctance shows how different the lifestyles and values were between the two groups.