Pathos for the Native American Indian Essay

Brother, our seats were once large, and yours were very small you have now become a huge people, and we have scarcely(prenominal) a place left to spread our blankets you have got our country, further are not satisfied you want to force you worship upon us (177)Long originally the exsanguine world appeared, inbred Americans have goted the great and vast lands, relying on and praising the Great flavor for sun, rain, and life. Upon crossing the seas, the white man was welcomed and befriended. As the white men grew in numbers, so did their appetite for land and control. The Caucasians brought contention, confusion, distrust, and problems. As though all of this were not enough, they also brought a new, superior religion. going cover, an eloquent primarily orator, finally spoke up for the Native population in his Speech of Red hood, the Seneca Chief to a Missionary. Red Jacket effectively appeals to pathos using comparison, sufficiency, and tone to convince white missionari es that Native Americans do not wish to worship as the white man, to destroy his religion, or to take it from him but only to enjoy their own.Red Jacket relies on pathos to convince the white missionaries that the Natives religion must be saved and guarded. Where there was no common ground between the Caucasians and the Indians, Red Jacket chose to relate to his audience through universal human emotions. His speech allows the listener or lecturer to take in the injustices felt by a nation of people who had their homelands stolen from them.To convey the importance of saving their religion, Red Jacket compares the Indians religion and the Caucasians religion. Instead of focusing merely on the Indians noncompliance to the white mans religion he braces his arguments in describing his own religion. The contrast between the two beliefs is as distinct as the contrast between their scrape ups.Red Jacket opens his speech saying, Friend and Brother, it was the will of the Great musical n ote that we should meet together this day (176). He continuesdescribing the Great Spirit as a great being with immense love for his red children. It is the Great Spirit that brings the sun up each morning and down each night it is the Great Spirit who created the buffalo, deer, and all other animals it is the Great Spirit that taught them to hold a great reverence for life and earth. From this description of the Great Spirit, several themes can be seen that coincide between the Indians beliefs and their actions. The Natives compassionate, respectful, and glad nature correlates with their humble belief in the Great Spirit. Compare that to the Caucasians greedy, proud, ethnocentric nature. These traits are contradictory between the their beliefs and actions. By severalise, Red Jacket shows that the white mans presentation of Christianity was hypocritical in that their words conflict with their actions.Red Jackets most powerful comparison of the two cultures religion is found in his conclusion Brother, if your white men murdered the son of the Great Spirit, we Indians had nothing to do with it, and it is none of our affair. If he had come among us we would not have killed him we would have treated him well, you must make amends for that crime yourselves (178). In this inference to the crucifixion, Red Jacket makes a subtle but distinct statement about the difference between the Caucasians and the Indian. In essence, he is saying that only the white man is capable of murdering their own savior an bursting charge that undoubtedly solicited a strong reaction.To raise the awareness of the grievous deeds done to the Indians by the Caucasians, Red Jacket uses sufficient evidence of the white mans dealings with the Natives to exemplify the lies told by the Caucasians to the Indian. He specifically describes the ways in which the white man has taken advantage of the Indians trust to invoke philanthropy from the reader.First, Red Jacket effectively leads into his inju ries from the white man by illustrating the Indians initial hospitality to the Caucasians. Speaking of the Caucasians arrival, Red Jacket states They found tribes, and not enemies they sat down among us. We did not fear them we took them to be friends they called us brothers we believed them (177). But this first encounter between red and white skin would later be known as an evil day. InRed Jackets words We gave them corn and meat they gave us poison in return (177).He tells how the Indians were deceived, giving all they had to the white newcomers who took and took until the Indians had nothing left. The white men crowded them out, claimed their lands, brought with them liquor, contention, and confusion. All of the evidence Red Jacket includes sufficiently shows the reader how the Caucasian stripped the Indians of everything, even their culture and religion. Use of such evidence entices the readers empathy.Red Jacket is selective in the tone of his text to ensure that he speaks to the white man in equality with respect. Despite the Caucasians tendency to talk down to the Natives, Red Jacket speaks as though on the same level. This equality is apparent throughout the entire text as Red Jacket consistently addresses the white man as Brother. As he was a victim, one would assume that Red Jackets reply would be livid, however, he delivers his speech in a very patient, respectful, and firm tone. In doing so, Red Jacket demonstrates an awareness of his audience. He surely knew that speaking words of hostility would only solicit an equal and opposite reaction that would have no chance of fostering change.Never once does he criticize or try to wish his own beliefs on the Caucasians he simply declines to accept Christianity. Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all but he has made a great difference between his white and red children he has given us a different complexion, and different customs. Since he has made so great a difference between us in other things, why may we not conclude that he has given us a different religion according to our understanding the Great Spirit does right he knows what is best for his children we are satisfied (178). This exemplifies Red Jackets tone in his speech. A level of tolerance can be seen in this quote, which has a pacifying affect on the reader. His firm and civil tone makes his point successfully.Whether or not Red Jackets oratory caused much change in the Caucasians dealings with the Native Americans, it made a strong statement concerning the Indians stance on religious values. His speech is persuasive, considerably due to his ability to play on the pathos of the listener orreader. In contrasting religions through beliefs and actions, providing sufficient, convincing, and supporting evidence, and speaking in a tone appropriate to his audience Red Jacket makes it very clear why the Indians have no desire to adapt the white mans religion. Through pathos, he draws the readers sentiments to see their case. We also have a religion which was given to our forefathers, and has been handed down to us their children. We worship that way. It teaches us to be thankful for all the favours we receive to love each other, and to be united (178). In Speech of Red Jacket, the Seneca Chief to a Missionary, it becomes obvious that religion is a deep rooted part of Native American culture that should be protected at all costs.