With Two Intents

With the introduction of factories into the Americas, industrialization began to grow at an exponential rate. Progressives started to induce change in a multitude of aspects within their lives. Nationalism initiated a feeling of superiority in their way of life. These feelings in turn justified their expansion westward now known as manifest destiny. Knowing that their way of life was threatened, Chief Seattle made a brilliant appeal to the the white man through an intelligent use of simile.

The strongest tactic that Chief Seattle uses toward the white man is that he makes them feel like they are in charge and do not have to worry about the red man. Through comparisons such as “...as does the wounded doe that hears the approaching footsteps of the hunter” the red men are portrayed to be innocent and harmless whereas the white men is positioned in a place of power and control. This in turn would alleviate fear of retaliation from the tribe of Chief Seattle.

Although the speech may have been delivered to the white man, Seattle had another target audience that he intended to address, his own people. Through a masterful use of simile Chief Seattle was able to create a sense of pride among the tribe. He begat a feeling of Nationalism among his tribe by connecting them through a sense of belief and then putting this against the white men. A specific example of this is in the difference of how they view their dead. The red man’s ancestors live on unlike the white man.

Ultimately Chief Seattle was successful in convincing the white man to allow them to live in peace. But his was not his only triumph. Seattle was able to efficiently inspire a sense of pride within the tribe and persuade them to live peacefully. In the end both sides profited because of a man who was willing to compromise without betraying who he was or what he believed in.