The symbolic imagery that clearly resembles the core of the Native American culture is vivid in the narrative "Black Elk Speaks." The young "Lakota of the Ogala band" tells his life story where he is blessed with a great vision involving the "Powers of the World" who grant him powers so that he may save his people (218, 220). Each of the six grandfathers or Gods, gives Black Elk Speaks a power so that he may help his people live healthy lives closely associated with the animals that they depend upon and Mother Earth. He is given a wooden cup full of water with the "power to make live" (221), "the power of the white giant's wing" (221), a "peace pipe which had a spotted eagle outstreched upon this stem" to make the sick well (222), a "bright red stick that was alive" (222), "the wings of the air" (223), and the "Spirit of the Earth" (223). The particular powers/gifts that the Six Grandfathers grant young Black Elk Speaks are interesting and closely associated with a great appreciation for nature in addition to a balanced life with Mother Earth.
It is also interesting to take note of the significant color imagery throughout this narrative as well. For example, the black road is described as being "a fearful road of troubles and of war" whereas the red roadis considered "the road of good" (222). Continuing with the idea that black is a negative color association, why would the horses that participate in the vision wearing "necklaces of bison hooves," be black as well (220)? By choosing black, white, sorrel, and buckskin to represent the four groups of colored horses in the vision in addition to the single bay that Black Elk rode, is there a ranking in the order of a horse's color coat? Why not include the greys, chestnuts, palominos, or for that matter, the painted horses that Native Americans were famous for? Red is consistently considered good and pure for the virgins are consistently "dressed in scarlet" (225 & 245). The color yellow is also considered "the source of life" as it is painted upon the virgins faces (245). There are several other referenes to colors within the narrative, yet these were some of the ones that stood out to me.
Following the "Dog Vision," that is a little difficult to stomach for an animal lover, a very interesting quote stands out in the first paragraph of the next section: "the truth comes into this world with two faces. One is sad with suffering, and the other laughs; but it is the same face, laughing or weeping" (241). This quote had several meanings for me. One, it seemed to make sacraficing innocent animals somewhat permissable for someone, like myself, from a very different culture. Two, this quote could be referring to Mother Earth who handles the good and the bad in stride every day. Or does it represent the morale of the Lakota people facing the truth of their life consisting of great and horrific things? I am not sure, but I found it intersting to explore.
Throughout this narrative, I was not completely sure what its purpose was. I was reading an account of a young Lakota boy's life who sought to help his people in everyway by performing his visions for them and seeking peace with nature. The final chapter entitled "The End of the Dream" led me to believe that the visions and the dreams were in hopes of creating a peaceful world where humans coexisted with nature and each other. I believe the the Grandfathers were trying to warn Black Elk of the dangers of destroying nature in hopes of changing the outcome of their people. When they go to war at Wounded Knee and lose, it is clear that the "people's dream died there" (251). The graphic imagery of innocent "dead and wounded woen and children and little babies scattered all along there where they had been trying to run away" displays the brutal ending to a beautiful way of life. Rather than coexisting with the invading white people, everyone wanted revenge and to kill in hopes of survival. It felt as though the connection with nature was lost at this battle and all hopes of human peace.
Since this is a translation from a culture bearing a different language and medium for storytelling, I wonder how much influence our Western culture has had on the narration. Most Native Americans told their stories orally. Wouldn't the translator have great difficulty translating the emotions and details that this narrative seems to be lacking?
Overall, this is a very powerful narrative describing the life of a Lakota Boy who devotes his life to saving his people only to find out that it is not possible due to a new invading culture. It brings to light the horrific destruction of beautiful culture and way of life where people were one with nature. Far deeper that Existentialist writers such as Thoreau felt, but a true dedication to the belief that animals were sacred and the "Grandfathers" ruled all with Mother Nature.
