1. When analyzing evidence and reading about the portrayal of certain
groups in history, it is important to not let one author's perspective
be the only factor that shapes our opinion. It is important to look
at different sources written about the same group so that one can
compare the language and themes used in one to better assess the
other. In American history, the Indian is a character that is
stereotyped. These stereotypes may arouse from the fact that
mainstream knowledge of the character comes from popular films with
extreme generalizations. However, well-educated scholars have also
written about the Indian. When judging Edmund Wilson's
representations and taking into consideration other writings on the
same subject, one can see that Wilson offers the audience an
accurately and impartial representation of the Indian.
2. In order to clearly portray a group of people to an audience who
has very little knowledge about this minority, writers often make
references to groups the audience has knowledge of. When Edmund Wilson
describes the qualities of Standing Arrow, he refers to a "youthful
Napoleon" as well as to a "Mussolinian spellbinder". Wilson decides
to use these adjectives rather then describe Standing Arrow's skills
as a leader or skill as an orator. Since the Indians see their leaders
and chiefs with such respect, Wilson tries to convey this to his
audience by referring to the great European warriors to describe these
men. The presence of such adjectives also creates a grand warrior-like
tone at the introduction passage. Wilson's overall tone in the passage
is congenial. By referring to these great warriors who altered the
course of world history, Wilson aims to transmit some of this awe and
splendor to the great Indian chief. However, using figures from one
race to describe another may also be dangerous. Wilson is using
European names to highlight the "positive" qualities of the Indian. In
order to avoid seeming...