*MY NATIVE AMERICAN STORY*

Zitkala-Sa. The Soft-Hearted Sioux

On a bright day, when the winged seeds of the prairie-grass were flying hither and thither, I walked solemnly toward the centre of the camping-ground. My heart beat hard and irregularly at my side. Tighter I grasped the sacred book I carried under my arm. Now was the beginning of life's work.
Though I knew it would be hard, I did not once feel that failure was to be my reward. As I stepped unevenly on the rolling ground, I thought of the warriors soon to wash off their war-paints and follow me.
At length I reached the place where the people had assembled to hear me preach. In a large circle men and women sat upon the dry red grass. Within the ring I stood, with the white man's Bible in my hand. I tried to tell them of the soft heart of Christ.
In silence the vast circle of bareheaded warriors sat under an afternoon sun. At last, wiping the wet from my brow, I took my place in the ring. The hush of the assembly filled me with great hope.
I was turning my thoughts upward to the sky in gratitude, when a stir called me to earth again.

Zitkala-Sa. The Soft-Hearted Sioux. 18 Mar. 2008 <http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=ZitSoft.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=3&division=div1 >

Reflection: After reading this story, I realized I chose it because the people and their different beliefs stuck out to me. When I saw that a young boy was brave enough to approach his people with his own beliefs and a white mans bibles in hand and he would not accept failure, I realized that even young people had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. This has an impact on me for the simple fact, that the choices I make and the belifs and morals that I stick to can change the life ahead of me, just as they did for the Native American Boy.

Dear Diary,
When I reached the new world I was amazed at what was around me. Furthermore as I began to travel I ventured to see many great things. One of the most interesting things that I happened to come across was a little Indian boy with a bible about to preach to his people. The boy was very friendly and his people skills were amazing. The interesting thing about what I witnessed is that soon a man arose who was known as the medicine man and he seemed as if he had something against the boy.

After the boy and the man bickered for quiet some time I came to realize that the whole thing occurred because the medicine man had problems with the boy and decided to ask the people why they were listening to a boys of such foolishness. This kind of took me by surprise because I expected that two natives would get along but I guess when people have different beliefs they act different no matter what.


Essential Question: How is community affected when the American dream may not be assessable to all? Although the Native Americans are the "True Americans" the white mans dreams turns their lives and their dreams into a nightmare, as the white man has only come to oppress them.

* OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION*

But to omit other things (that I may be brief) after long being at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod; the which being made and certainly known to be it, they were not a little joyful. After some deliberation had amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they tacked about and resolved to stand for the southward (the wind and weather being fair) to find some place about Hudson’s River for their habitation. But after they had sailed that course about half the day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers, and they were so far entangled therewith as they conceived themselves in great danger; and the wind shrinking) upon them withal, they resolved to bear up again for the Cape and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them, as by God’s good providence they did. And the next day they got into the Cape Harbor where they rid in safety.
Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. And no marvel if they were thus joyful, seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on the coast of his own Italy, as he affirmed, that he had rather remain twenty years on his way by land than pass by sea to any place in a short time, so tedious and dreadful was the same unto him.

Reflection: From this story I learned of all of the struggles that the people coming to America were forced to undergo as they were traveling. At many times, the people were endangering their lives in order to reach their destinations, but they relied on God to get out of the dangers that they came across and to resolve their problems. The struggles that they came across affected them in many ways, however, they remained faithful to the "God of Heaven" and continued to persevere.

Dear Diary,
The journey to America was a long, hard and dangerous one! Everyone knew that when we reached America we would have God to thank for his support and for guiding us to saftey. The storms brought much danger and the people amongst me were anxious to reach land and finally be out of harms way. By the time we were out of harm's way everyone was happy and delighted to reach the long awaited land, including me. So it was only right that we thank the one up above.

*ANNE BRADSTREET (1612-1672)*

"To my Dear and Loving Husband"

If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever.

"By Night while Others soundly Slept"

By night when others soundly slept
And hath at once both ease and Rest,
My waking eyes were open kept
And so to lie I found it best.

I sought him whom my Soul did Love,
With tears I sought him earnestly.
He bow'd his ear down from Above.
In vain I did not seek or cry.

My hungry Soul he fill'd with Good;
He in his Bottle put my tears,
My smarting wounds washt in his blood,
And banisht thence my Doubts and fears.

What to my Saviour shall I give
Who freely hath done this for me?
I'll serve him here whilst I shall live
And Love him to Eternity.

"In Thankful Remembrance for My Dear Husband's Safe Arrival Sept 3, 1662"

What shall I render to Thy name Or how Thy praises speak? My thanks how shall I testify? O Lord, Thou know'st I'm weak. I owe so much, so little can Return unto Thy name, Confusion seizes on my soul, And I am filled with shame. O Thou that hearest prayers, Lord, To Thee shall come all flesh Thou hast me heard and answered, My plaints have had access. What did I ask for but Thou gav'st? What could I more desire? But thankfulness even all my days I humbly this require. Thy mercies, Lord, have been so great In number numberless, Impossible for to recount Or any way express. O help Thy saints that sought Thy face T' return unto Thee praise And walk before Thee as they ought, In strict and upright ways.

Reflection: When first reading these poems, what caught my attention was how sincere this woman's love was for her husband. The woman cherished the love for her husband more than any riches and felt that nothing could compare to the love that they shared. When the husband was away the woman was weak and her soul was confused. This shows that she needs her husband, for he is her strength, and when he safely returns home there is no one in the world as thankful as her. The couple came together as one and shared love for eachother equally. In the end of the first poem the woman states that since the love that they share is so compassionate, when they live no more their love will continue on.

Dear Diary,
The love that a woman and a man share is something special that should always be cherished. Although at times, times are tough and there are many obstacles to overcome, a couple such as the one in the poem, stick together and perservere through nearly anything. I believe that during these times, a love such as this is valued far more than any riches and the two people can come together as one. Although no one can live forever, the love that the two people share, can and will continue on. The love that people share makes a huge impact on the way that they live their lives and during this time period love means more than anything else. I only hope that for the future generations, love will continue to live on and be valued as meaningfully as it is now!

*HUSWIFERY*

"Huswifery"
By: Edward Taylor

Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat;

Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.

Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate,

And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.

My Conversation make to be thy Reele,

And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele.

Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine:

And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills:

Then weave the Web thyselfe. The yarn is fine.

Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills.

Then dy the same in Heavenly Colours Choice,

All pinkt with Varnish't Flowers of Paradise.

Then cloath therewith mine Understanding, Will,

Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory;

My Words and Actions, that their shine may fill

My wayes with glory and thee glorify.

Then mine apparell shall display before yee

That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory.

Reflection: Grace is an undeserved gift and in this poem, Edward Taylor emphasizes how important it is for one to work for God's grace so that he can go to heaven. Taylor expressed his desire for God’s grace through use of extended metaphor, repetition and diction. Taylor's undying desire for God's grace is so strong that he repeats its' importance so that he knows he will be recieved in heaven.

Dear Diary,

In this poem Edward Taylor truly made me look at my faith in a different way. The move to America was not an easy one, as a matter of fact it was very difficult, however with the grace of God I feel that I can overcome and accoplish anything. This piece of poetry taught me that in order to recieve God's grace I must undergo a personal transformation first. I am thankful that I have come to America as it has taught me to appreciate the relationship that I have with God and it has taught me how important it is to recieve his grace.

*SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD*

"It is no security to wicked men for one moment, that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances. The manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages, shows this is no evidence, that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The arrows of death fly unseen at noon-day; the sharpest sight cannot discem them. God has so many different unsearchable ways of taking wicked men out of the world and sending them to hell, that there is nothing to make it appear, that God had need to be at the expense of a miracle, or go out of the ordinary course of his providence, to destroy any wicked man, at any moment. All the means that there are of sinners going out of the world, are so in God's hands, and so universally and absolutely subject to his power and determination, that it does not depend at all the less on the mere will of God, whether sinners shall at any moment go to hell, than if means were never made use of, or at all concerned in the case. " (Edwards)

Reflection: After reading this, I truly realized that it does not matter what kind of man you are, your fate is in the hands of God and he will decide what happens to you. Another thing is that, no matter what any man does in his life, God is the only person who has the person the power to send that man to hell. Throughout this whole narrative, it was stressed that the fate of anyone is in the hands of God, especially if that man is a sinner. When it comes down to it, Gods makes the overall decisions of whether or not a man changes or if he stays wicked, and consiquently, he is sent to hell. This narrative makes me look back at the things that I have done in my life and the decisions that I have made. When I think about everything that has taken place in my life I realize that everyone makes mistakes, but ultimatley God is the one who holds my fate in his hands, and he will decide whether or not I go to heaven or Hell.

Dear Diary,

After reading this narrative, it made me realize that many of the people who have moved into the New World have lost their guidance in the sense that they do not follow the same morals or live the way that they used to, and they do not feel that their are any consequences that follow. However, after reading Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, the narrative made me see that people will be punished for whatever actions that they decide to make. Considering that everyones fate is held in the hands of God, it has made me realize that the only true punishment can come from him.

Essential Question: How is community affected when the American dream may not be assessable to all? For the Puritans the American Dream is to receive God's grace while seeking salvation. The Puritans have hope to escape religious persecution and most of all to be granted God's Salvation and Grace. However, since the dream may not be assessable to all, it leads those in the community to believe that the person who can not achieve this dream has found disfavor with God.