The mid 1800's was a time in which America would start its great migration into converting the Native Ameicans into a natural resource. In one of George Catlins’ paintings, Pigeons Egg Head, inspired by the invasion of the Native Americans by white America, it is plain to see that Catlin thought that the Native Americans in some cases were so captivated by the white Americans and their way of life, and that the Americans turned around and trashed upon the once strong and proud culture of the Native Americans.
It is evident in the painting that the Native American has come back from a different civilization much changed from what he once was. The left showing the classic Native American clothing while the right is in the Americanized military uniform. His clothing is very intricate with beads and beautiful patterns made out of animal skin and fur. Overall his style of dress shows how traditional his Indian culture is. This is in contrast to the gentelman on the right who now wears a formal military costume with shoulder boardsand a top hat for a headress. These transformations show the Native Americans' loss of identity because of the Jacksonians' orders for the Indians to move out of their territory. They can't help but show their new traits and that things are much more different now.
This comparison in the painting shows that Catlin viewed the Native Americans as being easily influenced by the white Americans. This is first shown by the fact that the Native American is walking toward the US Capitol, recognized as the nation capitol, the use of this building helps the viewer take in that the US government was responsible for all these drastic changes. The amount of improper attire worn by the out of place Native American, which include the fan and umbrella that he carried was generally carried by women of the elite class and the fact that his boots had a heel on them. This illustrates that Catlin believes that the Native Americans became confused, they conformed to the white American ways but didn’t know exactly how to act as the white Americans acted. Catlin summed it up by showing the feathery top hat which still symbolized a somewhat resemblance to the top feather that the Native American once wore so proudly.
The essay is very strong when it comes down to giving examples and demonstrations of how Catlin depicts the Native Americans drastic change of cultural life after the influence of the white settlement to the west. Although I was very comfortable with what was said in the essay, there are a couple of suggestions that can make this essay even better. First of all, underline and bold your thesis so the readers know where to go and see what the idea behind the essay is if they get lost in between the paragraphs. Second, the first paragraph is two sentences, which, if I am not mistaking, is not even a paragraph. Next time, give a little more introduction to your essay in order to catch the readers’ attention. Last but not least, the essay does not show any evidence from the book which is one of the requirements for the blogs. Search in the book a little and find may be a sentence or two from the book. This will help elaborate your point a little further therefore, strengthening your essay.
Posted by: Samem | October 19, 2005 at 05:29 PM
Chelstan,
Your opening sentence is very catching. However, I wasn’t sure want your thesis was. Make sure that it is not hard for your reader to figure it out. Underlining it or bold text really helps. Going more in depth with your description of the painting would be really beneficial to the blog. Your ending seemed a little quick, add a few connecting sentences to transition more smoothly. I say that even though I have a hard time doing it. LOL.
Whitney
Posted by: Whitney Howell | October 19, 2005 at 07:32 PM