Ethnic Studies 110, Winter 1999

Ross Frank

Office: SSB 227

Phone: 534-6646

Keep the following questions in mind as you read each of the Plains Indian stories assigned from The Singing Spirit for Monday's (2/22/99) class discussion:

For what audience were these stories written? What is the author interested in conveying? How is this done?

What marks of assimilation do you see in the writings of these late 19th century Native American authors? Be explicit.

What view of Native Americans do these stories present? What do they bring to their stories? What do they leave out? Can you explain the emphasis or omissions?

What is the position of Anglo-Europeans in these stories?

Would you describe the prevailing tone of the stories as one of assimilation, acculturation, or something else? Why?

Describe the cultural perspective of the author from his/her stories.

How does the author's perspective in his/her writings compare with the view presented in the other readings for Part III of the course?

How does the author's perspective in his/her writings compare with the view presented in the Pueblo readings in Part I of the course?