This paper is part of the seminar “The Role of Nature in American and Canadian Writing“ and deals with the presentation of the two Indian writers Luther Stan-ding Bear and Zitkala Să. Both of them are seen as representative authors of the first generation of Native American writers at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It is divided into two sections. Each of them focuses on one single author, the contents are discussed separately. The first step will be to give the short biography of both authors. These should help to build the authentic background considered that their works are directly related to their personal life and history. In a second step a detailed description of the special concepts and philosophies explaining the Indian vision of nature will be given. The aim of this paper will be to introduce the reader to the understanding of life with nature. In this context special attention will be given to the earth, the elements like sun and air and, of course, to the animals. It is going to show that Luther Standing Bear and Zitkala Să often share the same view, even though they do belong to different tribes. Consequently all discussions serve as a general explanation of the Indian philosophy. In general it will work out the importance of nature to the Native Americans and basically compare the different lifestyles of Indians and whites. In the end this paper will prove what it actually means to be a ‘Native’ American.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Luther Standing Bear: "Land of the Spotted Eagle"
- Biographical dates
- General philosophy
- The genesis of the Oglala Sioux
- Mother and father – the elements
- The role of animals
- Nature in general
- Zitkala Să: "Impressions of an Indian Childhood"
- Biographical dates
- Zitkala Sǎ's vision of Nature
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to introduce the reader to the understanding of life with nature as presented by Native American writers Luther Standing Bear and Zitkala Să. It focuses on their unique perspectives and philosophies, highlighting the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world.
- The Indigenous vision of nature and its role in their worldview.
- The importance of the earth, elements like sun and air, and animals in Native American culture.
- Comparison of Native American and white lifestyles and their relationships with the environment.
- The impact of forced assimilation and the loss of traditional ways of life on Native Americans.
- The significance of the Native American perspective in American and Canadian writing.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first section focuses on Luther Standing Bear and his autobiography "Land of the Spotted Eagle". The chapter begins by outlining his biographical details and exploring his background as a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe. This includes his experiences in Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where he was forcibly assimilated and stripped of his traditional culture. Standing Bear's philosophy, grounded in the Lakota belief that humans are a part of a larger whole, is then examined. The chapter concludes by exploring Standing Bear's view on the interconnectedness of nature, emphasizing the importance of the elements and animals to the Oglala Sioux.
The second section delves into Zitkala Să's "Impressions of an Indian Childhood", offering insights into her vision of nature. The chapter provides biographical information about Zitkala Să, highlighting her experiences with forced assimilation and her commitment to preserving Native American culture. It then explores Zitkala Să's unique perspective on nature, highlighting her connection to the land and her experiences with the natural world.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this paper include Native American, Indian, Lakota, Sioux, Oglala, nature, environment, assimilation, forced assimilation, autoethnography, and the role of nature in literature.
- Quote paper
- Gina Mero (Author), 2006, Explaining Indian Concepts of Nature: Zitkala Sa and Luther Standing Bear, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/58921
