"Progress is the elimination of the savage". These words of General
Terry, a character in Sharon Pollock’s "Walsh", demonstrates how he
and his fellow white men feel towards Native Indians. The Indians see Canada as
their homeland, but the Canadian government will not let them stay and will do
anything in their power to make them leave to the United States. They are
cheated against, lied to, and betrayed by their government, because of their
ethnic background. Especially Sitting Bull, the head of the Sioux nation, who is
being accused for the death of General Custer. Walsh, Sitting Bull, and General
Terry contribute to this theme of prejudice towards the Sioux by the government
and Walsh’s struggle to keep his responsibility as an individual and his high
principles. Major Walsh of the North West Mounted Police who attempts to prevent
Sitting Bull and the Sioux from being sent back from Canada to the United
States, apparently to stand trial for the death of General Custer and his men at
the battle of Little Big Horn. Walsh has sympathy for Sitting Bull and the
Sioux. He feels, as a member of the force he should do everything in his power
to help them: "An able and brilliant people have been crushed, held down,
moved from place to place, cheated and lied to…..and now , they hold here in
Canada, the remnants of a proud race, and they ask for some sort of
justice….which is what I thought I swore on oath to serve!" Walsh has a
responsibility for Sitting Bull and the Sioux as a friend to help them in their
struggle for justice and respect but Walsh was forced against his better
judgment, to sacrifice his own high principles by his fellow police men and
friends. The government, which Walsh represents lies and makes excuses to the
Sioux of why the should be going to the United States. Walsh is a man who knows
that there is a nobility to his struggle, but he surrenders responsibility as an
individual. Walsh is a well-meaning but ultimately ineffectual white man whose
potentially tragic status is undermined by his decision to go back on his
promise of his responsibility to Sitting Bull and the Sioux. His moral dilemma
is at a disaster when he agrees to his governments demands and sends Sitting
Bull and the Sioux to his certain death in the United States. His mentality has
totally been altered and he almost feels no sympathy for them anymore: "And
I can give you nothing! God knows, I’ve done my damnedest and nothing’s changed.
Do you hear that? Nothing’s changed! Cross the line if you’re so hungry, but
don’t, for Christ’s sake, come begging food from me!" Now Walsh is just
like the rest of the men, careless and heartless. He has hardly no feelings
towards Sitting Bull and the Sioux and he is trying to send Sitting Bull and the
Sioux to the United States, thinking that they’re going to get food and shelter.
Sitting Bull, the head of the Sioux nation, and the Sioux are not blind to see
what’s really going on. They know the Canadian government is prejudice against
them and that they don’t want them on their land or in their country. They know
the government is lying to them so they can go to the United States to be in an
even worse situation then they are in, in Canada. Sitting Bull and the Sioux are
being betrayed by their own government. Sitting Bull says that to Walsh:
"When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on our
land. We sent 10,000 men to battle. Where are those warriors now? Who seen them?
Where are our lands? Who owns them? Tell me…what law have I broken? Is it
wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked of me because my skin is red? Because
I am a Sioux, because I was born where my fathers lived, because I would die for
my people and my country? ….This white man would forgive me….and while he
speaks to me of forgiveness, what do his people say in secret? ‘Seize their guns
and horses! Drive them back across the line! The more we kill this year, the
less we have to kill next year.’" Sitting Bull’s contribution to this theme
is that he lets Walsh know that he knows what they’re thinking. He lets him know
that even though Walsh seems to care for the Sioux, the others are planning
something else. Sitting Bull seems to be calm about it, but also disappointed at
Walsh for not keeping his responsibility for the Sioux. Sitting Bull knows that
Walsh is with the other men when Walsh says: "You know, if you refuse this
offer, they’ll be nothing for you here. My government says they won’t feed you
or give you reservations." Walsh still feels sympathy for Sitting Bull and
the Sioux, but on the other side he has all these men giving him orders and
telling him to follow the plan to send Sitting Bull and the Sioux to the Un0ited
States. Sitting Bull was Walsh’s only hope to win his struggle, Sitting Bull was
the only one who could have made Walsh keep his word and not get caught in the
trap. There was too much pressure from the other men that Walsh couldn’t handle
it. It was one against all, Walsh was not strong enough and Sitting Bull had no
one else to turn to. General Terry, a general from the U.S. Army, has come to
Canada to speak to Walsh about his plan to send Sitting Bull and the Sioux to
the United States. Terry speaks to Sitting Bull telling him that there is
reservations and food there and that they are welcome, and that nobody is going
to be hurt. Terry is also a white man who also wants Sitting Bull dead and
doesn’t want the Sioux nation in his country either. He is a contributor to
theme because he is also prejudice against the Sioux just like the rest of the
force, the one who gives Walsh orders to send Sitting Bull and the Sioux to the
United States. Terry is a key factor to Walsh’s failure in keeping his
responsibility and morals. He made Walsh force himself to make the decision to
follow the demands of the government. Terry’s influence on Walsh occurs when he
is telling him how he feels towards the Sioux: "Heavy responsibility on you
and me, of course. And what’s imperative…..safety, progress….is the
elimination of the savage." General Terry’s status is much higher than
Walsh’s. After hearing that from Terry he feels the obligation to take orders
and can’t hold on to his own beliefs, and fails. Walsh has betrayed both Sitting
Bull and himself. Despite just playing himself, Walsh is nevertheless portrayed
as a man who has had to assume many roles to survive. Walsh has experienced,
racism, cruelty, betrayal, and death. He has dealt with so much inner and outer
turbulence that he could now continue his fight for moral survival.
Другие работы по теме:
Men 2 Essay Research Paper Roman FloresAz
Men 2 Essay, Research Paper Roman Flores Az History & Government Period 3 5-9-00 Mr. Bentley Flores 1 How a bill becomes a law in Arizona A bill has to go through many different stages before it can become a law. Each year, Congress considers thousands of bills. Only a few hundred of these will become laws. The rest are destroyed by congressional committees, by negative voters in one or both houses of Congress, or by presidential vetoes.
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Life In Russia As A Working C
Essay, Research Paper Beau Walsh Autobiography Life in Russia as a working class laborer Yuri, a middle aged Russian peasant labor worker sat talking with his friend Valerie; the year was 1940 and the two men sat together drinking a bottle of vodka while discussing the last thirty years of their lives. Valerie turned to Yuri and said you tell me about the last thirty years and how do you feel about things were and how they are now .
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
16 Amendment Essay Research Paper The amendments
16 Amendment Essay, Research Paper The amendments were wrote to amend parts of the Constitution of the United States. I have got info in the sixteenth amendment. I will be writing this report in the order that our note taking guide goes.
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Treatments Of Bipolar Disorder Essay Research Paper
Treatments of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is characterized by both manic and depressive episodes. A manic episode is a period in which a person s mood is elevated, expansive, or irritable to a degree that causes serious impairment in relationships and occupational and social functioning. A major depressive episode is a period of two weeks during which a person experiences a depressed mood or a loss of interest in nearly all activities (Walsh 1998).
Jackson Polluck Essay Research Paper Matt FranaEssentials
Jackson Polluck Essay, Research Paper Matt Frana Essentials of Art Jackson Pollock Jackson Pollock was an American abstract artist born in Cody, Wyoming in 1912. He was the youngest of his five brothers. Even though he was born on a farm, he never milked a cow and he was terrified of horses because he grew up in California.
The Quiet Man Short Story
To Classic Movie Essay, Research Paper The Quiet Man represents one example of how a director changes the work of an author when creating a movie for the general public. The Quiet Man, developed into a full-length movie directed by John Ford in 1952, followed the story written by Maurice Walsh in the 40 s. Changing the story line, Ford created a movie that the public would want to see.
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Censorship Essay Research Paper Music CensorshipSince the
Censorship Essay, Research Paper Music Censorship Since the being of time people have been making and listening to music. Music has been considered the best way to express ourselves. The Bible even talks about how music was used to praise God. Music has been used for all type of things ranging from to getting a girl to notice guy, trying to get over a broken heart, or maybe losing a love one.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
School Essay Research Paper School Where
School Essay, Research Paper School! Where did they come up with that name? I guess because it rhymes with lame Now this rhyme you read will be quite corny Please don’t get upset, mad, or horny
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Colonial Women Essay Research Paper Women during
Colonial Women Essay, Research Paper Women during the Colonial Period Carr and Walsh believe that the colonial age was indeed a ?Golden Age? for women in America. Although the re was not much evidence that women were powerful when it came to handling the estate of her husband, especially after his death. After the death of her husband, the woman is given one third of his land.
Pointofview Cannery Row Essay Research Paper PointofViewBy
Point-of-view Cannery Row Essay, Research Paper Point-of-View By: Ryan Walsh In Cannery Row, John Steinbeck used the third person omniscient point-of-view. He could have used the first person point-of-view, but it wouldn’t have gotten his entire story across. He could have used third person limited, but then he wouldn’t have been able to tell about everything that was going on in Cannery Row.
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time
The Cult Threat Essay Research Paper The
The Cult Threat Essay, Research Paper The ‘Cult’ threat! Cult is a new movement for a new religion. In other words it is a formal ritual excessive belief. Cults are created due the established religions’ lack of fulfilling the emptiness of the individuals. However apart from this innocent explanation of cult it would be more appropriate to explain a cult as a group or movement which has an excessive devotion or dedication to some person or to an idea and which is unethically manipulated by the group’s leader for his own advance which can not be justified in any case.
Abstract Expressionism Essay Research Paper Abstract ExpressionismAbstract
Abstract Expressionism Essay, Research Paper Abstract Expressionism Abstract expressionism is a movement in American painting of the late 1940s and early 1950s acclaimed throughout the world. The dominance of American art dates from the success of the Abstract Expressionists, their formal innovations and new techniques were crucial to the development of Western art, and many artists today still make use of their ideas or react against them.