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In modern Euro-American culture, if a man were to simply mention the idea of buying a wife he would face certain ridicule and would be considered sexist. Wife buying is not a pc option in todays society as it stands in direct opposition to the mainstream idea of womens liberation and independence. That is not to say that it doesnt happen (remember the show Who wants marry a Millionaire? ) it is just to say that it is not overtly accepted. Waterlily, by Ella Cara Deloria, details the religious and cultural rituals of a Dakota woman in the nineteenth century. In the novel the protagonist, Waterlily, faces the prospect of being purchased for marriage. If one applies the mainstream world-view to this situation, it suggests that the Dakota culture may have been oppressive to women.
However, although often forgotten, the mainstream Euro-American world-view is not the only one that exists. The ultimate aim of Dakota life, stripped of accessories, was quite simple; one must obey kinship rules; one must be a good relative. No Dakota who has participated in that life will dispute that. In the last analysis every other consideration was secondary property, personal ambition, glory, good times, life itself. Without that aim and the constant struggle to attain it, the people would no longer be Dakotas in truth. They would no longer even be human.
To be a good Dakota, then was to be humanized, civilized. And to be civilized was to keep the rules imposed by kinship for achieving civility, good manners, and a sense of responsibility toward every individual dealt with. Thus only was it possible to live communally with success; that is to say, with a minimum of friction and a maximum of good will (Deloria, Waterlily x) In the case of Waterlily's marriage, of which she agreed to be purchased, the Dakota world-view sees her decision as very honorable. Her choice demonstrated that her people had taught her the most important of lessons, the one regarding her duties toward her relatives. (Waterlily 163) In order for the mainstream to understand how her decision can be considered honorable, it is necessary to better understand the role of the woman in Dakota life. As shown by Deloria's female characters, the way a Dakota woman achieves honor for her-self is by honoring her relatives. For example, the ritual known as ghost keeping serves both religious and cultural importance by honoring a well respected and beloved persons death.
In Deloria's novel, it is Gloves spirit that is retained through ghost keeping. Ghostkeeping is a long and laborious ceremony in which a ghost bundle must be guarded with relentless care in accordance with a ritual that might not be neglected even once. (Waterlily 141) If the ceremony is not undertaken with great care it causes discredit and dishonor to the family involved. For this reason, unless there was a woman relative who felt herself equal to the duty of custodian, it was better not attempted. And that duty was a grueling one. (Waterlily 141) Leaping Fawn, a very dependable cousin of Waterlily, chose to volunteer as keeper of her Grandmothers ghost.
Her decision was brave because Leaping Fawn was of courting age and could become distracted by a suitor and cause shame to her family. Emphasizing both the bereaved family and the fellow villagers, ghost keeping is a camp circle affair (Waterlily 146) that strengthens ties within a tiyospaye, redistributes wealth, and reinforces cultural ideas of generosity and afterlife. All to whom Globe had shown benevolence in life can reciprocate through ghost keeping by offering gifts to her spirit.
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Research essay sample on Discussing Waterlily Marriage And Dakota Life
