Charles Eastman

5 Pages 1181 Words

A huge part of Indian culture has always been their knack for oral tradition. It what creates a link between the past civilizations and the current one, making all cultures link together through the use of stories and events that went on? Oral tradition is scene in the book From the Deep Woods to Civilization. In this book, Charles A. Eastman, tells his autobiographical story of his life to the readers. Telling us about his story shares a bit of his culture with us, and the life he has lead. But this book touches on many aspects that typically Indian. A matter of fact, he stood at a point where he even battled his own Identity. This is common theme we encounter in our course. Eastman is constantly finding himself a book of contradictions. Contradicting his feelings towards all the cultures he encounters through his journey through life.
Perhaps Eastman wouldn’t have found himself so confused if it weren’t for his family and their opposing views against each other. His family relationship represents a lot of confusion. His grandmother had raised Eastman because everyone had thought his father had passed away. One day, it was discovered that Eastman’s father never died and he returned back to the tribe. While talking with his son one day, he tells him how he has seen the world and thinks it would be a good idea for his son to leave the tribe and do the same. Eastman’s grandmother holds an opposing views. She thought it was important for him to stay and help their own tribe.
I find that the white man has a well-grounded religion, and teachers his children the same virtues that our people taught theirs... I think the way of the white man is better than ours, because he’s able to preserve on paper the things he does not want to forget. He records everything—the sayings of his wise men, the laws enacted by his counselor.

At the same time, Eastman’s grandmother did not like the idea of venturing out into the world, ...