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Example research essay topic: Physically And Mentally White Society - 1,178 words

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The spiritual, religious and cultural beliefs the Native Americans of Kingdom village possess are strong and tightly bound. They are connected physically and mentally to everything that surrounds them. The land, nature and people are a fundamental part of who they are. Yet the opportunities waiting for them in white society provide hope for a different life of freedom, independence, education and wealth. In Margaret Cravens epic novel I Heard The Owl Call My Name, both characters, Gordon and Keetah face the problem of living in two completely different and contrasting worlds, the Indian world and the White world. In the novel the importance of land, nature and people form the basis of the Kwakwala tribes Indian culture and religious belief system.

The Indian knows his village and feels for his village as no white man for his country, his town, or even for his own bit of land (Craven, 1976: 12) The idea of living in both worlds causes inner and external turmoil for both Gordon and Keetah. Both know and feel for their village, yet have different hopes and aspirations as to what their futures may hold. They worry about fulfilling their own personal desires whilst at the same time trying to please the disapproving tribal elders, who believe that young Indians are lured into white society through temptations of education and a better life. When the young leave, the world takes them, and damages them. They no longer listen when the elders speak. They go, and soon the village will go also. (Craven, 1976: 50) To the elders white society damages young Indians, stripping them of their respect and understanding of Indian culture and influences them to practise what they see as the negative ways of the whites.

It is through the so called advantages present in white society that the elders believe will cause the inevitable downfall of their tribe, the disintegration of their way of life and their religious belief system. Gordons decision to leave the village and live permanently in white society is one of much deliberation. Although physically and mentally connected to the people of the village and its surroundings, he feels himself trapped (Craven, 1976: 23) in the Indian world. Gordons connections to the village are neither strong nor binding, as he yearns to return to white society. He desires the life of education, freedom, independence, and to be the first of his people to enter a profession. However, the tribal elders interfere with Gordons decision, exerting further pressure on him by arguing that he must remain within the village in order for it to flourish throughout the generations to come.

Gordon faces the difficult choice of whether to follow his own dreams or those of his people. Having already had first hand contact with white people through his previous education Gordon believes he is prepared to once again represent his people in the outside world. Gordon is certain that no matter what he endures or experiences the village will always be a significant part of who he is. Gordons initial experience in the white world made him return to the village a changed man. Realising this he feels it is for everyones benefit that he does not remain within the village, as his pursuit of the ways of the white man betrayed not only his tribe but also his native culture. To add to his confusion, Gordon is aware that although the tribe secretly acknowledges his accomplishments, they no longer respect him.

He has disappointed those who have not experienced the white world and wish not to. Gordon notes to himself that he has changed yet refuses to be ashamed of all that he has achieved so far. Mark, I cannot come home again. I have changed too much. It is my mind that has changed (Craven, 1976: 103) Gordon is subconsciously aware that some day he will be able to live in both worlds. It is his mind that has changed, as it has become similar to the white mans.

His heart remains embedded within the foundations of the village and although white society will continue to influence his life he will always retain that of his Indian culture and beliefs. On the other hand Keetah follows Gordon to the white mans world out of betrothed obligation. Her decision is not based out of love for Gordon, but out of minor curiosity to see the white mans world. Keetah is spiritually stable and her physical and mental connection to her village is stronger and more intense in comparison to Gordons.

The village is her air, and the people her spirit and without them she cannot be at one with herself. Keetah worries that through her decision to leave she is, like Gordon, disrespecting the tribal elders and simultaneously placing herself in a vulnerable emotional position. Thus the decision to leave the village was more difficult for Keetah as she has a responsibility to not only please herself, but also Gordon and likewise the narrow minded tribal elders. Keetah at this point displays a great inner strength as she prepares to leave her village and tribe for an unpredictable new life within white society. Keetah never intended to stay with Gordon forever as she is always aware that her strong connections to the village made her too much a part of it to continue living in white society. Longing to return to her village, Keetah knew it was the only place she could truly be free and at home, sheltered from all that she dislikes about the outside world.

To be an Indian in my own village is to be free as no white man is ever free, and it is to live behind a wall (Craven, 1976: 114) The decision to leave white society and return to the safe haven of the village caused Keetah a great deal of anguish as she struggled with the painful idea of leaving Gordon. The outside world was just too different from the Indian world that she was used to and the longer she stayed in white society the more uncomfortable she began to feel, always feeling out of place, alienated and in some respects insignificant. Returning by choice and not failure to her village Keetah realises that by living amongst white people she was beginning to lose sight of who she was and her Indian identity was disappearing. The world has swallowed me, and I knew I could not stay there because my village is the only place I know myself (Craven, 1976: 114) The problem of living in both worlds affected the two characters Gordon and Keetah differently.

It was the choice of which world beckoned to them more, in which they felt more at home, to which world they felt they belonged. Whether to live permanently in white society or stay within the village ensuring its prosperity. These life-changing decisions effected not only themselves and each other, but the entire Kwakwala tribe, thus increasing the pressure on them to which of the worlds they desired to live in more.


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Research essay sample on Physically And Mentally White Society

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