Monday, January 20, 2014
week 2 reflection: appreciation acelerated
Dances with wolves was a fabulous film. I hadn't seen it for several years, and with the deeper insight Mrs.Cawlfield added, as well as more life experience, I was able to appreciate it much more. Native american culture has been so subjected, and unappreciated that most Americans don't know anything about it but thanksgiving, and a couple tribe names. many languages, religions, and even ways of life have been thrown by the wayside, and utterly forgotten since Columbus arrived on these shores. Dances with wolves tries, and seems to do a pretty good job of showing these aspects of the Sioux tribe that has previously been hidden from view of the american public. Dances with wolves showed the battle traditions, religious ceremonies, communication, and way of life of the Sioux tribe in a better light, and more accurate representation than any film before, and even after.
On top of showing the Sioux way of life, it also showed the previously hidden, and unspoken of good relations between whites and natives. In almost every other piece of media Native Americans are portrayed as savages, hated by all whites, and unfit for our "civilized" way of life. In many ways the Native Americans culture was superior in terms of communal harmony, resourcefulness, work ethic, and general inner peace. Lt. Dunbar (Kevin Costner) saw this, and choose to join the Sioux instead of return to his traditional culture, as did many other whites with various native tribes. These men and woman were forgotten about throughout history, and when found were often put to death as Lt. Dunbar was supposed to be. They weren't talked about due to the public stance on the "savagery of Indians". I liked how Dances with wolves showed that both party's can get along, and become friends when it had never really been shown before.
Dances with wolves is a fantastic film that is revolutionary in terms of both content, and portrayal of native culture. I greatly enjoyed watching this movie, and feel like I have gained a deeper perspective into native culture as well as a greater respect for the people. Dances with wolves was a great introductory film, and i look forward to learning more about the misunderstood people that originally inhabited the land we live in today.
On top of showing the Sioux way of life, it also showed the previously hidden, and unspoken of good relations between whites and natives. In almost every other piece of media Native Americans are portrayed as savages, hated by all whites, and unfit for our "civilized" way of life. In many ways the Native Americans culture was superior in terms of communal harmony, resourcefulness, work ethic, and general inner peace. Lt. Dunbar (Kevin Costner) saw this, and choose to join the Sioux instead of return to his traditional culture, as did many other whites with various native tribes. These men and woman were forgotten about throughout history, and when found were often put to death as Lt. Dunbar was supposed to be. They weren't talked about due to the public stance on the "savagery of Indians". I liked how Dances with wolves showed that both party's can get along, and become friends when it had never really been shown before.
Dances with wolves is a fantastic film that is revolutionary in terms of both content, and portrayal of native culture. I greatly enjoyed watching this movie, and feel like I have gained a deeper perspective into native culture as well as a greater respect for the people. Dances with wolves was a great introductory film, and i look forward to learning more about the misunderstood people that originally inhabited the land we live in today.
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