The late cultural critic Neil Postman spoke frequently about the tendency of technology to become mythic, or accepted without question as something that always existed in the natural world. The same can be said of territorial boundaries, a manmade construct that had no relevance for the Cheyenne and Arapaho people of the foothills and high plains of east of the Rocky Mountains in the mid-19th century. By the latter 20th century, however, the more than two million residents of the state of Colorado who lived amidst the arbitrary demarcation lines of a state without natural boundaries felt a strong enough affinity for and identity with their place in the world to honor, grieve and demand action over the “XXXX number of Coloradoans… killed in Vietnam,” or, “…on the highways.” (Ortiz 15) Little more than one hundred years earlier, however, several indigenous tribes had thriving and venerable societies that were destroyed by American troops, and like most non-native residents of the United States, the typical Coloradoan had no concern for this fact. “Repression works like shadow, clouding memory and sometimes even to blind, and when it is on a national scale, it is just not good.”
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Sand Creek Massacre and its Context
- The Aftermath and Legacy of Sand Creek
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this work is to analyze Simon Ortiz's poem "From Sand Creek" and explore its depiction of Native genocide and American imperialism. The analysis examines how the poem addresses historical repression and the lasting impact of the Sand Creek Massacre.
- Native Genocide and the Sand Creek Massacre
- American Imperialism and its Manifestations
- Historical Repression and Collective Memory
- The Role of Poetry in Reclaiming History
- The Long-Term Consequences of Violence and Injustice
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the analysis of Simon Ortiz's poem "From Sand Creek," highlighting the poem's themes of Native genocide and American imperialism. It introduces the concept of historical repression and the poem's role in challenging the dominant narrative surrounding the Sand Creek Massacre and its aftermath. The introduction foreshadows the exploration of how the poem connects the historical trauma of Sand Creek to later instances of American violence, both domestic and abroad.
The Sand Creek Massacre and its Context: This chapter delves into the historical context of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, examining the events leading up to the massacre. It explores the interactions between the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the American government, including treaties and broken promises. The chapter details the conditions that led to the vulnerability of the tribes and the motivations behind the massacre, highlighting the role of military ambitions, resource acquisition, and racial prejudice. The chapter also discusses the initial justification for the massacre and its portrayal as a victory, contrasting this with the actual atrocities committed against unarmed women and children.
The Aftermath and Legacy of Sand Creek: This section analyzes the consequences of the Sand Creek Massacre, examining the immediate aftermath for the surviving Cheyenne and Arapaho populations. It traces the subsequent displacement and further violence against these tribes, connecting the massacre to broader campaigns of dispossession and violence against Native Americans in the West. The chapter discusses the efforts to suppress accounts of the massacre, highlighting the role of historical repression in shaping the collective memory of the event. This section also links the Sand Creek Massacre to other instances of American violence, including the My Lai Massacre and the Samar campaign in the Philippines, drawing parallels between these events and highlighting the recurring patterns of imperialistic aggression and disregard for human life.
Keywords
Native genocide, American imperialism, Sand Creek Massacre, historical repression, collective memory, Simon Ortiz, "From Sand Creek," Cheyenne, Arapaho, colonialism, violence, injustice, poetry, memory, trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Simon Ortiz's "From Sand Creek"
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Simon Ortiz's poem "From Sand Creek." It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the analysis's scope and content. The analysis focuses on exploring the poem's depiction of Native genocide and American imperialism, and how it addresses historical repression and the lasting impact of the Sand Creek Massacre.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of Simon Ortiz's poem?
The core themes revolve around Native genocide and the Sand Creek Massacre, American imperialism and its manifestations, historical repression and collective memory, the role of poetry in reclaiming history, and the long-term consequences of violence and injustice. The analysis investigates how the poem connects the historical trauma of Sand Creek to later instances of American violence, both domestically and internationally.
What specific historical event is central to this analysis?
The Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 is the central historical event. The analysis examines the events leading up to the massacre, the massacre itself, its immediate aftermath, and its lasting legacy. It explores the interactions between the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and the American government, highlighting broken treaties, the vulnerability of the tribes, and the motivations behind the massacre.
How does the analysis connect the Sand Creek Massacre to broader historical contexts?
The analysis connects the Sand Creek Massacre to broader patterns of American imperialism, colonialism, and violence against Native Americans. It draws parallels between Sand Creek and other instances of American violence, such as the My Lai Massacre and the Samar campaign in the Philippines, highlighting recurring themes of imperialistic aggression and disregard for human life.
What role does poetry play in the analysis?
Simon Ortiz's poem "From Sand Creek" serves as the primary text for analysis. The analysis explores how the poem functions as a means of reclaiming history, challenging dominant narratives, and giving voice to the experiences of those affected by the Sand Creek Massacre and its ongoing consequences. The poem's role in shaping collective memory and confronting historical repression is a central focus.
What are the key chapters covered in the analysis?
The analysis includes an introduction, a chapter detailing the Sand Creek Massacre and its context, a chapter examining the aftermath and legacy of Sand Creek, and a conclusion. Each chapter delves into specific aspects of the historical event and its lasting impact, exploring themes of violence, injustice, historical repression, and the role of poetry in confronting the past.
What are some key terms associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Native genocide, American imperialism, Sand Creek Massacre, historical repression, collective memory, Simon Ortiz, "From Sand Creek," Cheyenne, Arapaho, colonialism, violence, injustice, poetry, memory, and trauma.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mark Schauer (Autor:in), 2011, Native Genocide and American Imperialism in Simon Ortiz’s poem "From Sand Creek", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230264
