2021- Intro to Literature- Essay PDF

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Issues to the American Identity...

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Issues to the American Identity In the texts, “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America” by Benjamin Franklin and “Speech of Red Jacket to the Missionaries” by Red Jacket, they shows that the tone reflects the American identity and ideals. Franklin shows the gap between the white man’s and the “savage’s” cultures. Red Jacket highlights the differences between the Native Americans and the white man. The literature of these texts represents issues important to the American society. Benjamin Franklin, the author of “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”, questions why should the Natives be called “savages” because their lifestyle is different than the white man’s? “Savages we call them, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs” (Franklin). Neither have the right nor wrong culture. The white men think that their own manners were “perfect”. Franklin uses the term “different nations” to show his respect for the diversity of the Native Americans. The white men believed that, since the Native Americans were different, they weren’t actually humans. “The politeness of these savages in conversation indeed carried to excess since it does not permit them to contradict or deny the truth of what is asserted in their presence” (Franklin). The Native Americans in the conversation were polite and silent. They were respectful while the white men were rude. When the white men came to the Native Americans wigwam, the Natives gave them food, drinks, a pipe, and soft fur to sleep on. Franklin changes the understanding of who is “savage” and who is “civil” by showing who’s being barbaric. In the eyes of the white men, the Natives do not live up to the term as being civilized people. Who is savage and who is civil when one enters another’s home? Who shows hostility? In my opinion, a “savage” is someone who disrespects another in his/her homeland; hence it’s their home. It’s their safe space and a place where they can live their culture. The Native Americans shows their hospitality of food, comfort, and entertainment. When a Native American enters a white man’s home, he is told to wait and learn “good things”. With the phrase “good things”, Franklin creates a metaphor for civility that he believes exists in the Native’s and the white men’s cultures. “We have had some experience of it… they were instructed in all your sciences; but when they came back to us, they were bad runners, ignorant of every means of living in the woods...”

(Franklin). In the university, the Native Americans, who were sent, didn’t learn “good things”, but ways to cheat the Natives. They forgot their basic survival skills that were taken from the white men. The white men made the Natives like them, “civil”. Red Jacket, the author of “Speech of Red Jacket to the Missionaries”, highlights the differences between the Native Americans and the white man. He blames the white people for taking their religion, even after they took all of their land. This left the Natives nowhere to go. “...we gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return… not fear them, we took them to be friends” (Red Jacket). The Native Americans are the “savages”? He desires a place where he and his his tribe can enjoy their own company and religion, which is what the “American Dream” promises. The white men entered the Native American’s home and were disrespectful. They left the Natives defenseless because they didn’t know how to fight against the diseases. In the meanwhile, the Natives are making sure that the white men are welcomed and feel comfortable. “You say that you are right, and we are lost; how do we know this to be true?” (Franklin). The Natives barely know the white men. The white men came to the Natives’ land and tells them that they’re wrong. To the white men, being an American has: pride, faith, bravery, equality, and stands up for what he believes in. Why do they need to be the exact same? This ties in with the quote, “You say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit; if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? ...the Great Spirit has made us all… he knows what is best for his children” (Red Jacket). The Native American’s religion is different. Even though they are different, the “Great Spirit” made them the same. They are all his children. If the white men want the Natives to convert, how if they are not one themselves? For example, Jonathan Edwards who believes that they all go to Hell and every action is a sin to please the devil. If all the white men don’t have the same religion, how can they force it upon the Natives? The white men believe that their God is the only and “correct” God. They see the Native Americans as Godless people. In fact, they are not, but they believe in a different religion. This was what the white men refused to see. Red Jacket ends his speech with forgiveness to the white men. “...take you by the hand, and hope the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey, and return you safe to your friends” (Red Jacket). Even though he witnessed the missionaries

getting paid for the land, Red Jacket wishes them well. The Natives expected the white men to have open arms, but they stole so much from them. Red Jacket’s speech wasn’t vengeful and no blood. Instead it was filled with compassion. In the texts, they show that the tone reflects the American identity and ideals. Minorities have struggles throughout America from the colonial times to current using literature as a support. American literature is full of pride, embracing culture, and standing up for what you believe in. Red Jacket stayed true to his values. He wasn’t afraid to say what he thought was necessary. Franklin feels that there should be someone addressing the issues, so he takes it upon himself to address it. The value of these texts are that everyone is not the exact same. There are other cultures and religions that are spread out in the United States. These texts help make the United States more diverse and help open the “doors” to the American Dream. They both have a similar approach. Franklin wasn’t hostile towards the white men; he was mainly confused as to why the Natives were savages because they were too different. Red Jacket was passionate about his culture and chose words over action to have the greatest impact on his audience. Overall, the white men were the savages.

Works Cited

“Benjamin Franklin: Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America.” The Wampum Chronicles, www.wampumchronicles.com/benfranklin.html. “Red Jacket Defends Native American Religion, 1805.” HISTORY MATTERS - The U.S. Survey Course on the Web, historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5790/....