In both texts “The Indian Character” by Francis Parkman and “Among the Osage Indians in 1832” by Washington Irvang, the American Indian’s characteristics and the way that white men judge them are demonstrated.
Even thought Parkman and Irvang adhered that Indians are civilized and learnt how adapt themselves with the new style of life but they have their own point of view about them.
Francis Parkman was clearly against Indians which is recognizable via the tone of his text. Where the white settler that had lost one of his horses, he blamed Indians for missing his horse. He was in a towering passion. The white settler claimed carrying horses off was common practice among the Indians to claiming a reward. Furthermore, doubt that there was about the young Indian among the travelers.
Among Irvang perspective, I can say that he had different point of view from Parkman. Irvang believed that if we want to consider Indians, we must consider them first of all as a human as we treat the whites. In this perspective, he did not look at them as uncivilized people. He believed that every race have their rights to live freely and have their own attitudes, accustoms and so on according to their culture. As he said in the text that Indians make merit of both grief and mirth. Actually they are not at all like what they became known as taciturn, unbending without a tear or a smile.
There are good points that Irvang was expressed in his text. First, however Indians are taciturn when they are in company with white men but it can be the same situation for white men who are in company with Indians that they don’t know their culture, language…. The next point is Indians are satisfied by being with white men and learn new aspects of their style of life and have their own traditions. Evidences for claim are were Irvang said Indians seated by their fire; they tasted their foods; relished coffee; they were impressed with profound respect for the withes’ dignity and grandeur. They saw everything with keen and watchful eye curiously. Beside they chant about whimsical stories, their adventures in war and hunting.
I, myself, think like Irvang and have agreement with him about this issue. The only way that we can judge people fairly is to see them as human far from their color, race… and in the same circumstances. The other pint that I want to raise is that we must respect others’ culture and underestimate other cultures and traditions. I believe that in every culture there are a lot of facts that are priceless and noticeable. At least we must become acquaintance with them and then judge them.
Bahareh Changizi
