Tuesday, 17 June 2008: American Indian Minority vs. the immigrant narrative.

Leslie Marmon Silko, “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” (IA 205-209); Louise Erdrich, "American Horse" (IA 210-220); Mei Mei Evans, “Gussuk” (IA 237-251)

Topic: American Indian Minority vs. the Immigrant Narrative

Assignment Rationale:   To gain a better understanding of Objective 4 (Identify the United States “dominant culture” to which immigrants assimilate.)

A   How does the dominant culture manifest itself in Silko’s “The Man to Send Rain Clouds”?

1. The Catholic Church/burial rites-

·        “after they dressed him in the new shirt (a brown  flannel shirt) and pants (a pair of stiff new Levis), he seemed even more shrunken’’ p. 206

·        ringing of the church bells (enforces dominant culture’s rule of time and order): “twin bells from the King of Spain…in their tower”-remnants of the culture responsible for early domination of the indigenous people of the Americas,  p .206

·        sprinkling of holy water (merging of customs?) p. 207

·        religious rules- “Last Rites are necessary ‘for a Christian burial.’” p.  207

·        paternal attitude of the priest- “Well, I’m glad that you understand. I hope that I’ll be seeing you at Mass this week...” p. 206

                                                     “His voice was distant, and Leon thought that his blue eyes looked tired.”  p. 208

                                                                 “You know I can’t do that, Leon. There should have been the Last Rites and a funeral Mass at the very least.”  p. 208

                                                                  He “disappeared between the tall, thick walls.” p. 209

Some might see the priest as condescending- is he?  Would he have acted differently with an all white parish or congregation?

2. Dominant culture products-Levis, pickup trucks, heavy tarp, sheep farming (pens), green Army jacket, jacket with a zipper, green cap with flaps, glossy missionary magazine

Does assimilating in terms of the dominant culture’s products and services destroy or benefit the Pueblo culture?

3. Eating rituals-

·        “the table was set for lunch and the coffee was boiling on the black iron stove…” p. 206

·        “They ate the beans with hot bread…” p. 206

·        “the neighbors and clanspeople came quietly to …leave food on the table…” p.  206

Do the Native American characters in this story show resistance to the dominant culture? How?

B.   How does the dominant culture manifest itself in “American Horse” by Louise Erdrich?

·        Miss Vicki Koob-Condescending, judgmental attitude/social worker (unmarried, no children)

Does she represent the dominant culture’s righteous rationale for intervening in the lives of the Native American?

Quotes:

“I want to find that boy and salvage him.” p. 215

“Look at his family life-the old man crazy as a bedbug, the mother intoxicated somewhere.” p. 215

“Vicki Koob noted that in her perfect-bound notebook.” p. 216  

“Not one thing escaped Vicki Koob’s trained and cataloging gaze.” p. 216

“Vicki tried to hold Buddy fast and keep her arm down at the same time, for the words that she had screamed at Albertine had broken the seal of antiperspirant beneath her arms.” p.  220

·        The betrayal of Tribal Police Officer Leo Harmony (irony)

How would the dominant culture view Harmony?

How does he see himself? (Sell-out or savior?)

Quotes:

“a slow man” p. 213

“He had been sitting quietly in the backseat…” p. 213

“Harmony thought that he had to explain about Indians or get twice as tough to show he did not favor them.”

“…slow-moving and shy but two jumps ahead of other people all the same…” pp. 213-214

“‘Ma Cousin,’ … ‘why don’t you come out here and stop this foolishness?’ ” p. 217

“a big tan punching bag dummy with his boots full of sand…” p. 217

“…empty inside, all stale air.” p.  217

“I feel bad I have to do this.” p .217

·        Officer Brackett- What about the dominant culture does he represent?

Quotes:

“…energetic, eager.”

“…a short hopeful redhead who failed consistently to win the hearts of women.”

Lastly, this is a modern story, but the issues in it are very old.   What negative effects of the dominant culture are shown in terms of Albertine, Uncle George and Buddy?

How will assimilation ultimately occur in terms of this Native American clan?

C.  “Gussuk” by Mei Mei Evans

Lucy- a “gussuk” and a nurse sent to “take care” of the Eskimo people in Kigiak, Alaska

How does Lucy end up asserting herself as a member of the dominant culture? Why does she do this?

 “Lucy felt conspicuous suddenly in her khaki skirt and tasseled loafers-clothes she had worn more to make a good impression than because she liked them.”   p. 237 

….he too, had noticed their resemblance to each other.” p. 237

“‘I thought you were Eskimo.’ ” p. 237

“‘I’m Chinese-American. My grandmother was Chinese.’ ” p. 237

“She hoped that looking like a native would work to her advantage.” p. 238

“‘You look like him now even more than when I met you.’ ” p. 251

Are the descriptions of the salmon swimming upstream a metaphor for the condition the Eskimo people? If so, how?

What effects of the dominant culture show up profusely in both “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” and “Gussuk”?

FINALLY:

Why is so difficult for the Native Americans in these stories to assimilate into the dominant culture compared to those characters in immigrant narratives?