Shirly Ong
English 48B
1 February, 2008
Journal #9 Sarah Winnemucca
Quote:
“Arriving near them, he was commanded to halt in a manner that was readily understood without an interpreter. Grandpa at once made signs of friendships by throwing down his robe and throwing up his arms to show them he had no weapons; but in vain,--they kept them at a distance.”
Summary:
This quote appears at the beginning of From Life Among the Piute. It is Sarah Winnemucca’s description of her Grandfather when he and his men first met the Whites.
Response:
Sarah Winnemucca’s Grandfather, the chief of the entire Piute nation, has always believed that they have a “lost white brother” who would return one day. Therefore, when he and his men first met the Whites, he was very excited. He thought the Whites are his long-looked for white bothers and they finally return to their land. However, the Whites did not act very friendly. According to Sarah Winnemucca, the Whites commanded the Piutes to stop and kept the Piutes at a distance. The word “commanded” shows that the Whites were arrogant and impolite. They thought they are more authoritative than the Piute and commanded them as if they had power over the Piutes. Sarah Winnemucca even asserts that the Whites’ poor manner could be steadily understood without an interpreter. Yet, I think Winnemucca’s descriptions and comments might be a bit subjective as she is a Paiute. The White’s alert is understandable, as they do not know much about the Piutes. This was the best way to protect themselves from dangers and attacks. Nevertheless, it is a pity that they could not have a placid first meeting even though Winnemucca’s Grandfather has tried his best to show his friendliness and warm welcome to the Whites by showing them he had no weapons. After all, I think the Whites could have talked to the Piutes in a more peaceful way if they wanted to be friendly to the Piutes.
Quote:
“Arriving near them, he was commanded to halt in a manner that was readily understood without an interpreter. Grandpa at once made signs of friendships by throwing down his robe and throwing up his arms to show them he had no weapons; but in vain,--they kept them at a distance.”
Summary:
This quote appears at the beginning of From Life Among the Piute. It is Sarah Winnemucca’s description of her Grandfather when he and his men first met the Whites.
Response:
Sarah Winnemucca’s Grandfather, the chief of the entire Piute nation, has always believed that they have a “lost white brother” who would return one day. Therefore, when he and his men first met the Whites, he was very excited. He thought the Whites are his long-looked for white bothers and they finally return to their land. However, the Whites did not act very friendly. According to Sarah Winnemucca, the Whites commanded the Piutes to stop and kept the Piutes at a distance. The word “commanded” shows that the Whites were arrogant and impolite. They thought they are more authoritative than the Piute and commanded them as if they had power over the Piutes. Sarah Winnemucca even asserts that the Whites’ poor manner could be steadily understood without an interpreter. Yet, I think Winnemucca’s descriptions and comments might be a bit subjective as she is a Paiute. The White’s alert is understandable, as they do not know much about the Piutes. This was the best way to protect themselves from dangers and attacks. Nevertheless, it is a pity that they could not have a placid first meeting even though Winnemucca’s Grandfather has tried his best to show his friendliness and warm welcome to the Whites by showing them he had no weapons. After all, I think the Whites could have talked to the Piutes in a more peaceful way if they wanted to be friendly to the Piutes.
1 comment:
20/20 I liked the way you focused on a specific word in this comment.
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