In this paper I am going to compare the biography “Black Elk speaks” written by John G. Neihardt with the novel “The heartsong of Charging Elk” written by James Welch. Both books show a different perspective on the same topic. “Black Elk speaks” shows the true history whereas the novel from James Welch is fiction. But by reading both books I got the impression that even “The heartsong of Charging Elk” could have really happened. By reading the books a lot of connections or links get obvious.
The paper tries to discuss some of the connections. In the first part of the paper the stories will be summarized and the main characters Black Elk and Charging Elk will be described. In the center part of the paper some of the connections and links will be compared more detailed. Here I will triy to point out especially the connections they have during their travel to Europe.
In the last part I am going to discuss the interesting changes of the narrative perspective and the resulting impression for the reader.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Characterization and appearances of the main characters
2.1 Charging Elk
2.2 Black Elk
3 Summary of the stories
3.1 “The heartsong of Charging Elk”
3.2 “Black Elk speaks”
4 Links between the books
5 Connections between the two texts especially connections in the travel to Europe
5.1 Atlantic as a border
5.2 Death song
5.3 The Buffalo Bill Show
5.4 The visions and spirit journeys
5.5 The Massacre at Wounded Knee
6 Narrative perspectives and the impression on the reader
7 Conclusion
Objectives & Core Topics
This paper aims to provide a comparative analysis between the autobiography "Black Elk speaks" by John G. Neihardt and the novel "The heartsong of Charging Elk" by James Welch. The research explores the parallel experiences of two Oglala Indians as they navigate the loss of their traditional homelands, their involvement in the Buffalo Bill Show, and their disparate encounters with European culture and identity, ultimately evaluating how narrative perspective shapes the reader's understanding of history and fiction.
- Comparative analysis of autobiographical history versus historical fiction
- The impact of Western "wasichu" dominance on Native American lives
- Symbolism of travel, cultural borders, and the "death song"
- Spiritual significance of visions and spirit journeys
- The narrative construction of the Wounded Knee massacre
- Influence of narrative perspective on objective and subjective interpretation
Excerpt from the Book
5.2 Death song
The death song is very important for the Indians. Black Elk and Charging Elk learned already the death songs when they were children. It is not only used by fighting enemies but also in situations where death is near or around. The Indians believe that if they die they all meet again in another place. Especially men have to be brave so that their naki (soul) could cross over to their already died relatives.
It was interesting to see that both characters have similar situations in which they use their death song. Especially in fight situations the death song seems to be very helpful.
For both the first time they sing their death song is during the crossing to Europe. There they dress up in best clothes and start to sing their death song. Charging Elk has a lot of situations in Europe where he feels helpless or even lonesome. For example in prison he even hopes to die.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the comparison between the autobiography "Black Elk speaks" and the novel "The heartsong of Charging Elk," establishing the methodological approach.
2 Characterization and appearances of the main characters: This section provides a detailed portrait of the protagonists, highlighting their physical traits, cultural identity, and personal motivations.
3 Summary of the stories: The chapter summarizes the life paths of Charging Elk and Black Elk, focusing on their displacement and eventual participation in the Buffalo Bill Show.
4 Links between the books: An overview of the thematic and biographical parallels shared by both protagonists, such as their tribal affiliation and experiences with colonial expansion.
5 Connections between the two texts especially connections in the travel to Europe: This central chapter explores the physical and cultural border-crossing experiences, including rituals like the death song and the role of the Buffalo Bill Show.
6 Narrative perspectives and the impression on the reader: An analysis of how different narrative techniques and viewpoints in the two texts influence the reader's perception of "objective" truth.
7 Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the similarities and differences, arguing that the two texts complement each other in providing a comprehensive view of the Sioux experience during a time of immense cultural upheaval.
Keywords
Charging Elk, Black Elk, Oglala, Lakota, Buffalo Bill Show, wasichu, death song, visions, spirit journeys, Wounded Knee, narrative perspective, autobiography, novel, cultural displacement, Native American literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper performs a comparative study between John G. Neihardt’s autobiography "Black Elk speaks" and James Welch’s novel "The heartsong of Charging Elk," analyzing their depictions of Native American life.
Which central themes are discussed in the analysis?
Key themes include the loss of ancestral homelands, the experience of forced migration, the cultural significance of the "death song," the role of visions, and the impact of the Buffalo Bill Show.
What is the core research goal?
The objective is to examine how both characters, despite different narrative genres, reflect similar historical experiences and to determine how narrative framing affects the reader's perception.
Which scientific approach is utilized in this paper?
The author uses a comparative literature approach, identifying thematic links and analyzing how narrative perspectives shift to provide either a personal or an objective view of historical events.
What does the main body cover?
The main body focuses on character descriptions, plot summaries, shared cultural rituals, the travel experience to Europe, and a critical look at the narrative techniques employed in both books.
Which keywords define this work?
Essential terms include Oglala, Buffalo Bill Show, wasichu, death song, spirit journeys, Wounded Knee, and narrative perspective.
How do the protagonists experience the "death song"?
For both characters, the death song serves as a spiritual tool for survival and identity, often used in moments of extreme isolation or when they face life-threatening situations.
In what way does the Buffalo Bill Show function as a frame?
The show acts as both a catalyst for travel to Europe and as a structural element that dictates the characters' movements and their eventual return or permanent displacement from their homeland.
What is the significance of the "spirit journey" in the texts?
Spirit journeys allow the characters to connect with their home and witness events like the massacre at Wounded Knee from a distance, highlighting their deep longing and psychological trauma.
- Quote paper
- Martin Setzkorn (Author), 2006, The story of Black Elk as fiction and biography. „Black Elk speaks“ by John G. Neihardt versus “The heartsong of Charging Elk” by James Welch, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115491
