LITR 5535: American Romanticism

Student Presentation on Reading Selections, fall 2000

Reader: Shelly Childers

Respondent: Kimberly Jones

September 16, 2000

Norton Anthology of American Literature, 5^th Shorter Ed., 449-458

The presentation began with a review of the background of the Cherokee people. In 1829, the Cherokees had been consolidated to an area in Georgia. They lived there, educated themselves, responded to the message of Christianity, and were at peace with their white neighbors. President Andrew Jackson felt that Indians should be relocated to the west of the Mississippi and the discovery of gold on their land created a new urgency. The word ‘memorial’ is not associated with a funeral response. These memorials were offered as petitions to the government asking for help and consideration.

The passage chosen was on page 455 beginning with "…our attachment to the soil of our ancestors" to the end of the paragraph. Several noticed the intricate and elaborate language. The reference to their ancestors is an example of Romantic nostalgia, Romantic spirit, ideology, and history. This passage uses the power of the individual and the rise of the Indian nation as a point of reference in their bid for autonomy. They have individually excelled and grown; however, they feel that they are being persecuted.

Question – How did you find these passages in regard to the American ‘image’ of the Indian? How is this or is this not a portrayal of the "Romantic’ Indian?

Kimberly responded with references in the Last of the Mohicans that the dominant culture generally applies to American Indians. They included "savage," "uncivilized," "beast," "devil," and on page 53, "cruel murderers" and "fierce." We discussed the concept of the Noble Savage. She felt that this representation might have been the result of governmental propaganda, which dehumanizes and makes it generally easier to move them. It was noted that perhaps we should use the term’s ideology or popular culture instead of propaganda and the book by Jill Le Pore, The Name of War was suggested as a reference.

Other class members noted that the fantasy/reality is that through art and fiction you can allow fantasy to blind you to the reality of any given situation. In this respect, history is complicated and romance is simplified. Americans were doing to the Indians, what the English did to them. It is hard to understand how anyone can turn their back on people who have helped them.

Power and progress are put into motion and you cannot stop it. Amana noted that there was a defensive tone to the Cherokee memorials. They had to show how civilized they were. It still was not enough. The documents were articulate and eloquent. We attached a value to them in regard to the fact that they were gifted communicators.

The Indians were out of the circle of what was accepted. Still, when you go back to Jefferson: "All men are created equal" we note once again that 'all men' is not what it seems. For America’s progress, the Indians had to be wiped out. There is the feeling that Americans "hurt" and that we (America) have oppressed. These are ghosts that will haunt us.

Something to think about – It might be natural to Romanticize Cherokees on another level. The Cherokees actually had slaves so their idea of ‘equal’ is also debatable.