~Fleur~

This story was a bit haunting. I was thinking in the introduction that the story had taken place during a time where demon-like figures like Fleur were on the rise! But that was definitely not the case. Fleur is the pariah of the story in which know one knows much about. In the beginning she drowns herself constantly. In the middle of the story she leaves the town seeking employment at a Butcher's shop. Towards the end she is still seen as an outcast demon-like person who then gives birth to a child, and the father is said to be either the lake itself or Misshepeshu, the evil water man. This was a spooky read that hardly made any sense to me. >.

-Note to a Culture Vulture -

This read was somewhat confusing to me. At first I was thinking that the author a Native American who was angry at the assimilation of a white writer into Indian culture; however, I think it's more about a white American describing the way a full-blooded Native American feels about someone outside his Native society doing research and studying his people in order to gain knowledge and to be seen as a Native American Writer.

-How to Write the Great American Indian Novel-

The description of what an Indian man must be like and how a white woman should react deeply reminds me of Adult Swim's television series "King of the Hill". In this show, the main character's best friend, Dale Dribble, has a wife, Nancy Dribble, who is secretly cheating on him with a Native American named John Redcorn. Only a few neighbors know of this and Dale is so positive of the fact that aliens secretly planted a seed within Nancy, thus giving them a halfbreed named Joseph. Sherman Alexie's read says "All white women love Indian men. That is always the case. White women feign disgust at the savage in blue jeans and T-shirt, but secretly lust after him."

-Truganinny-

It would have been nice to see Truganinny's dying wish fulfilled. After seeing her husband stuffed and mounted she did not want to suffer the same fate and sought peace but was unable to find it. This poem describes the cruel end of the last of the Tasmanians.

Cowboy -- Thomas McGuane

In this short story we get an example of the life of a cowboy on a ranch, as oppose to the life of a cowboy that involves killing others or hostage-type situations. We get a sense of what the original definition of a cowboy is, and that is one who herds and tends to the cattle on a ranch. This story follows a cowboy that is looking for work on a ranch - no doubt different from all the other cowboys we've read in class. Although his life as a cowboy is different from that of other outlaws, it's not hard to notice some of the characteristics. He's not fearful, he's a bit brash, and has foul language to go along with all of that. He's willing to take on tasks that most couldn't stomach just to get the job done. Something like extracting a calf from a pregnant heifer in peices! Also, not to say that all cowboys aren't respectful, but he refers to the old man most often as "old sumbit**". Every now and then he'll say "the old man" or "the old fella". Something that came to my attention was that we never learn the name of the old man, the name of his sister, or the cowboy which left me discontent with the story.

About John Wayne, Interview with John Wayne

--- About John Wayne ---
Like most actors and actresses today I'm sure, John Wayne has had his fair share of ups and downs while trying to jumpstart his career as an actor, especially during times of war. He was a patriot as well as an iconic figure for 20th century America and today, earning respect from most through his works and as a traditionalist.


--- Interview with John Wayne ---
From the interview questions, I learned that John Wayne was not just a cowboy role playing actor. He was very much involved with politics and is a celebrity known both far and wide. He is straight to the point and says what needs to be said. I pretty much liked all of the questions that involved him and the "younger generation". In a way he believed that he had the hearts of most kids who know about him, because he too had experienced the bad and the ugly in life and is not afraid to share it with the world, such as being involved with drugs. He also believed that our society is carefree, showing signs of corrupt behavior and the like. Overall, he's not just a simple actor with tough-like cowboy behavior, but rather someone who knows and is concerned about the well being of America.

The Lone Ranger

This type of show gives me a reason as to why I can't say anything bad about being in black and white. I've come to a realization that I can become enamored with a lot of shows that are in black and white, as long as the storyline is fulfilling. The first episode of The Lone Ranger explained a bit about the Lone Ranger's past,and how he met an Indian friend named Tonto at a young age. As fate would have it the two meet up again after so many years have past, but under terrible circumstances. Most of the Texas Rangers were killed by outlaws, leaving only the Lone Ranger alive and the Judas of the Texas Rangers who led the group purposely into an ambush. Now, it is just the Lone Ranger, his trusty white horse Silver, and his trusty friend Tonto that are left to thwart the plans of the vicious outlaws!

Jesse James, The Outlaw thoughts

- - - Chapter I - - -
After reading the first chapter, it was clear to me that the James brothers were a pair of troublemakers capable of vicious behavior. The chapter was a good read until I read about the demise of detective Langman! Mainly it was the fact that it was explained in detail how he died. One hundred shots seem a bit much. William Lawson, another undercover detective, is held captive by Jesse and Frank for a time, but it in good standings with them; however, after witnessing the gruesome demise of Langman he may be expecting things to get worse from there on out.

- - - Chapter II - - -
As I read on I was glad to hear that William Lawson, an undercover detective, was able to gain the trust of Jesse James, the terrible outlaw. Just the fact that Lawson was able to go back into town to the festival and be amongst the town people and get away from the secluded outlaws was somewhat comforting for me, although he was told to report back the next day with any vital information, alone. Lawson was able to speak to few authoritative figures, but not for long as he was being watched. One of the members of the outlaws who worked alongside the James brothers, Cutts,was in town, and Lawson was quick to notice. I think to myself that if I were in that situation, I would make everything I do brief if possible. When the James brothers were on the outskirts of town, they robbed the treasurer and made off into the wilderness with the loot, at the same time being pursued by fifty horsemen. This was a situation that I think Lawson shouldn't have worried about because by deciding to follow the officers while in pursuit, it looks as if he too is after the James brothers.

- - - Chapter III - - -
It appears that Lawson knows more about Jesse than what Jesse had thought!and Jesse's wife seeks to get more information from Lawson, but Lawson has to remain firm and will only talk with Jesse himself.

- - - Chapter IV - - -
The James brothers and their comrades decided to rob the people aboard a train. Jesse and his brother went after the conductor, while the others were after the people. During the raid I noticed something interesting about Jesse. Jesse and his band of thieves have a kind heart towards women! Upon leaving the train Jesse asked one of his comrades, Bob Younger, how the robbing of the men and women went. Bob responded "Poor enough, Jess. There wasn't more'n a dozen men in the car, and I didn't feel like makin' the women shell out." Towards the end of the chapter when Jesse, his brother Frank, and Lawson were returning home, Cutts was waiting there with information about Lawson. Lawson is not a doctor, he is an undercover detective!

- - - Chapter V-IX - - -
The list of events that occured in chapters five through nine gave me such a rush of excitement as I read, that it was hard to stop! Starting with the events in chapter five, Lawson was soon discovered to be a detective, but the moment Jesse decided to take his eyes off of Lawson was the moment Lawson was able to make his great escape. From there on it's battle after battle, with Jesse attempting to come into town disguised, because during Lawson's escape he was grazed by a bullet, and went so far as to faking his death. Jesse used his two children lackeys to send the body of Master cutts, in place of his own, to the townspeople in order to deceive them, but I'm glad Lawson was able to point out the not-so-noticeably differences.

My Thoughts - Baum, CHARLOT, Deloria

-- Baum Editorial--

As I read the editorials, I couldn't help but to feel saddened for the demise of the Indians during that time period or the "Redskins". I feel that the white men could have been a bit more lenient towards the Indians and could have at least found uses for them, rather than bringing about their destruction. Sitting Bull was a renowned Sioux, known during that period to be "the greatest Medicine Man of his time." This lets me know that he made a living out of helping others. Had the white men allowed Sitting Bull and his people to live, they could have came to an agreement for a better life for both parties and end all of the drama.

-- CHARLOT --

One of the first things that I recognized from reading this excerpt was that Charlot was dead-set against having to pay taxes to the white man. I get a strong sense of anger coming from him when he talks against the White man saying "We owe him nothing; he owes us more than he will pay, yet says there is a God". Another quote I found interesting was "like the wolverine that steals your cache, how often does he come: You know he comes as long as he lives, and takes more and more, and dirties what he leaves."

-- Deloria --

This article speaks of America moving away from the old ways of the British colonists, with the events that took place at the Boston Tea Party being the main result for this;Rather, America looked into developing a character and identity for itself. I thought that causing a scene during the tea party was an interesting way for the Americans to show that they rebelled.

My thoughts: Helen Hunt Jackson, Zitkala Sa

--Helen Hunt Jackson Response: "From A Century of Dishonor"--

What stood out to me the most in the article was that The Ponca were able to maintain a positive attitude through all of the commotion between them and their neighboring enemies of the east (pale faces), west (Pawnees), north (Sioux), and south (Osages and Konzas). Although the United States negotiated a peace treaty with them and placed them under their protection, The Poncas were very much left alone to defend themselves and avoid danger.

--Zitkala Sa Response--

Gertrude Bonnin's mother sought after a higher level of education for her daughter, allowing Gertrude to be taken by the missionaries who came to the Indian reservations to allow others to embrace the pale faces way of life. It seemed as though she felt de-culturalized when she was told not to speak her native language and to abandon her style of clothing, as well as cutting off her long hair; however, she held on to her native roots, and later on in life she became an accomplished writer as well as a musician. She also involved herself with a number of Indian Organizations that sought to enhance the lives of the Indians.
What amazed me the most was that she was able to get the experience of going to a new land, taking in what she had to take in, and then turning that knowledge into something that would benefit the people of her homeland the most.