Zitkala-Sa had the opportunity to partake in the American Dream. However, she makes it clear that it was not her choice. Zitkala-Sa says, “And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless,” (430). It seems that Zitkala- Sa was unwilling to assimilate to the American way of life.
Throughout her time at White’s Manual Labor Institute Zitkala- Sa is forced to lose her identity as an Native American. One example is when Zitkala- Sa is forced to cut her hair. Zitkala-Sa explains how the importance of having long hair in the Native American culture. Zitkala- Sa says, “Our mother had taught us that only unskilled warrior who was captured had their hair shingled by the enemy” (431). Another example would be when Zitkala-Sa says, “My moccasins had been exchanged for shoes,” (431). Zitkala-Sa was not allowed to decide whether or not she wanted to give up her culture. Instead, she was forced to learn the ways of the American society. While receiving her education Zitkala-Sa seems to have lost her identity as a Native American. When a person loses their culture identity they lose a part of themselves.
What would have happened If Zitkala-Sa never attended the White’s Manual Labor? Would she even consider leaving her home in order to attend college? Americans today are given the opportunity to decide for themselves what they want in life. Zitkala-Sa on the other hand was forced to have an American education and follow certain practices that she did not believe in. I definitely agree with the statement you made “The American Dream is something that people made a conscience decision to achieve, they knew what they wanted, and knew how to achieve it whereas Zitkala-Sa is being forced into education and what the white man views as the American Dream while sacrificing her beliefs, culture, and ways of life.”
No comments:
Post a Comment