Junior Year English Journal #15

Reflection on "The Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph" and Excerpt from " An Indian's Views on Indian Affairs".

"The Surrender Speech of chief Joseph" definitely emits an air of exasperation. Chief Joseph is tired of fighting against the United States Government and he realizes the Nez Pierce people are as good as defeated with the Chiefs dead and his people suffering. It seems as if Chief Joseph wishes he had never fought against the whiteman at all. In "An Indian's Views on Indian Affairs" Chief Joseph reveals that he believes in one God, the Great Spirit, and also seems to express his belief in a heaven and a hell. As Chief Joseph is writing for an audience of white people, I am sure that they would find this fascinating coming from an Indian as they probably assume that all Indians are Godless or devil worshipping savages who scalp enemies for pleasure. However, their surprise would still be unlikely to overwhelm their dislike, hatred, or racism against Native Americans