“The dead are not altogether powerless”, Chief Seattle
concludes, after outlining the fundamental difference between the white man and
his people. When the white man dies, he says, they go our into the stars and
their ancestors abandon their graves, but the land still hold the dead of his
people, who once numbered as the “the grass of the plains”. Those aiding in the
death of his nation will never be alone, the Chief is saying because the
memories of his people will always be with them.
At the time of his speech the Seattle area was still a part
of the Oregon territory, and he was approached by the government in hopes to
move his people to reservations and allow room for more settlers. Although most
language in the speech is resigned, as he seems to give in to the death of his
people and culture, using descriptive metaphors comparing the “red skinned
people” to a wounded doe waiting for the hunter, he also firmly denies the Christian
God as a father to his people and implies that any brotherhood gained between
the two nations would be through common experiences not pleasant to either.
Chief Seattle uses words to create authority from a very vulnerable
position, wherein his people can’t compete against the numbers or the might of
those against them. He also connects their people in a way that would garner
sympathy, and does not outright refuse any proposals or ask to be left alone as
I’m sure he would desire, leaving the door open for communication and
presenting their people as reasonable and wise. The gist that I got out of the
speech is that the Chief wanted people to realize how their actions would affect
his people, and in turn their own. This would open doors for the tribes to gain
concessions (like visiting the graves), whereas before they were in absolutely
no position to make demands.
I really like the way you said that he "uses words to create authority from a very vulnerable position". You also nailed something I was trying to formulate better in my own thoughts on the Chief's speech. He is able to take the perfect approach in which he establishes his authority, and really his peoples authority over the land, without giving the total feel over giving into the white man's demands, even though he does in the end. If I was a member of the tribe I feel like I would come away remembering his authority and the impact of those who have passed on from the tribe, rather than the fact that my chief is going to agree to give up our lands.
ReplyDeleteI liked the way of explaining each in detail well done
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