Savagery

Fran Hudson

The purpose of this activity was to read and learn about how Native Americans were viewed. We first looked up definitions of savage and savagery and then read about Native Americans in the text provided keeping the definition in mind. The definition of savage was a member of a people regarded as primitive and uncivilized, and also (of an animal or force of nature) fierce, uncontrolled, and violent.  The definition of savagery was the condition of being primitive or uncivilized.

The text portrays the Indians as animal-like, inhumane, and uncivilized. It is obvious they live very different to how Americans live. The text would shift the way I viewed Native Americans in a negative way because their morals and way of life was so different from ours. They value war and consider fighting in wars to be honorable. They were extremely revengeful and even burned their prisoners alive. They weren't very technologically advanced, living in huts and wearing very little clothing. They didn't even have books or a clear language they spoke. The text was supporting the idea that Native Americans were savages because they appeared uncivilized, cruel, and violent. By using "the savages" the text sets the Native Americans apart from the rest of us. This text would shift all American student's views on Native Americans very convincingly.