Pathos on "An Indian Teacher among Indians"

Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa in her native Sioux) was an involved member of the Native American community in the latter part of the 19th century into the 20th century. Her story, An Indian Teacher among Indians is her personal account and narrative of living in the white culture and Indian culture. Divided into four chapters, she discusses her job and issues with her mother. It is somewhat of an emotional testimony through her decisions and relations, and therefore lends to a helpful analysis of both Purpose and the Pathos.

The purpose of her story is to show the complexity of internal struggle that many Native American's experienced during the assimilation years between the 1860's and 1930's imposed on the Native Americans. The United States government thought that the best way to help the Native Americans survive and become incorporated into society was to teach them English, teach them how to be farmers and Christianize them. Zitkala-Sa makes this impression at the end of her story; "In this fashion many have passed idly through the Indian schools during the last decade, afterward to boast of their charity to the North American Indian. But few there are who have paused to question whether real or long-lasting death lies beneath this semblance of civilization." (p.259). This references the complexity of societal clashes, and the imposing life of the white culture. many families were broken up, and cultural identity was lost during this period. This is the death that she is mentioning.

"Mother, do not pray again! The Great Spirit does not care if we live or die! Let us not look for good or justice: then we shall not be disappointed!" (p. 257) Zitkala-Sa had visited her mother at one point to find more Indian recruits in the east. This quote, embodying the Pathos, is directed at her mother, an embittered woman who loathes the white man and the disillusions they brought. Zitkala-Sa, raised to be weary of the white man has found refuge though in their culture, and has been forced to compromise beliefs and thoughts from both her native culture and the American one. She is frustrated by both. "For white man's papers I had given up my faith in the Great Spirit. For these same papers I had forgotten the healing in trees and brooks. On account of my mother's simple view of life, and my lack of any, I gave her up, also." (p. 258)