American History: Life in the American Frontier
SCRIPT
The American frontier, in United States history, is the advancing border that
marked those lands that had been settled by Europeans. It is characterized by
the westward movement of European settlers from their original settlements
on the Atlantic coast (17th century) to the Far West (19th century).
Frontier: a border between two countries, or (esp. in the past in the US) a
border between developed land where white people live and land where
Indians live or land that is wild:
The film tells the story of Lieutenant John Dunbar accidentally approaching the
Lakota Sioux people and living with them to imbibe the deep traditional culture
of the Indians. We can also see that John Dunbar quickly absorbed the culture,
language, and lifestyle of the Indians. Even the fact that a foreigner like Dunbar
is recognized as a friend, an ally, and even part of the tribe and is named
Dances With Wolves also shows that they are very friendly and open, not
something barbaric.
Scene 1:
The first encounter between the white man Dunbar and a Sioux tribe member,
along with mutual wariness and the Sioux people's fear when discovered by
Dunbar
Through the fear of the Sioux man and the calm, leisurely attitude of the white
man Dunbar, we can analyze the following angles: Historical Context: The fear
depicted in the film is rooted in the historical context of Native American
interactions with white settlers during the 19th century. The Lakota Sioux, like
many other Indigenous tribes, had experienced violence, displacement, and
cultural assimilation at the hands of white settlers. This history of oppression
and mistreatment created a deep sense of fear and mistrust towards white
individuals.
Personal Experience: Some members of the Sioux tribe may have had
negative experiences with white people in the past, which may have
contributed to their fear. These experiences may include violence, exploitation,
cruelty of white people when destroying nature, killing for reclamation, etc.
Conclusion: The scene shows part of the confrontational relationship
between native Indians and whites, with the Indians fleeing and the whites
freely and openly migrating to this land.
Scene 2:
In the second scence the white soldier John Dunbar, gives coffee and sugar to
the Sioux leader, Wind in His Hair.
In many American cultures, giving gifts is an important part of building and
maintaining relationships, and can be an important way to express care and
support for others. It's a way for individuals to show their appreciation for each
other and to deepen the bonds between them.
This act of generosity is significant because it shows that Dunbar is willing to
share his own resources with the native leader, despite the clear differences in
culture and language between them. It also suggests that Dunbar is open to
learning more about the Sioux culture and way of life, and is willing to engage
in a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship.
It is worth noting that this scene is seen as a turning point in the relationships
between the white settlers and the Native Americans in the movie, and the act of
giving gifts serves as a symbol of the growing understanding and appreciation
of each other's cultures. This moment is a powerful example of the importance
of mutual respect and cultural exchange, as well as the power of gestures of
kindness and generosity in building relationships.
