Heroism in Dances With Wolves

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One of the themes of Michael Blake's Dances With Wolves is what it means to be truly heroic.  What heroic qualities does Dunbar possess?  What has he done throughout the novel that makes him truly heroic?  Provide textual evidence and support to back up what you state!

DWW Questions - Chapters 24-25

Love - sigh.
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Answer the questions below, and be sure to provide textual evidence (QUOTES!) to support what you state or argue!

 

a. How do the war tactics of the Native peoples differ from that of the US Army?  What message does Blake send regarding how each go about waging war?

b. “It was difficult for Kicking Bird.  He wished it was not happening.  His affection for Dances With Wolves was deep.  The white soldier had been his responsibility, and the white soldier had shown himself to be worthy of the risks Kicking Bird had taken. He was more than worthy.” 

If Dunbar is "worthy", why does Kicking Bird make him stay behind when they go to fight the Pawnee?

c. An objective correlative is when an element in a novel mirrors the mood or emotions of the characters.  How does the weather mirror the relationship between Dances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist in chapter 25?

Again, make sure that you provide textual evidence for each question!

Dichotomous Dunbar

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John Dunbar is considered to be a dichotomous character, meaning that he possesses two sides of himself that contrast one another, as illustrated in the chapters we read for today. 

Using specific evidence from the novel (find quotes!) give examples of Dunbar's dichotomous nature - his side that is white and his side that is Indian.

How do these two sides of his character create conflict within himself?  Which side do you feel illustrates the true nature of Dunbar?  Why?

Two Socks

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What is the purpose of Two Socks in Dances With Wolves?  The wolf is constantly hanging around and continually comes back to Dunbar.  How has their relationship changed, and what could this animal symbolize?

Quote of the Day...

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For this prompt, choose one of the quotes below and write a journal entry that explores how this quote ties in with a theme (or themes) of Michael Blake's Dances with Wolves.
 
The following are themes within the novel:

• Relationship between whites and Native Americans
• Native American culture and life
• Fear of the unknown
• Harmony within nature and the soul
• What it means to be truly heroic



“As much as he disliked Indians, Timmons knew virtually nothing of their ways.” 

 

“Wind In His Hair could have cared less about the white man.  But he cared greatly about what the white man represented.  It was every warrior’s most constant enemy.  The white man represented fear.” 

 

"She alone, among all the Comanches, knew that the white man was not a god."

 

"He knew it was an Indian, but he had never expected anything so wild, and the shock of it had stunned him surely as a blow to the head."

 

"Lieutenant Dunbar had fallen in love.  He had fallen in love with this wild, beautiful country and everything it contained."

Predict the Ending

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We have reached Part IV of the novel - the final part - so you know something will soon go down between McMurphy and Ratched.  For this journal prompt, predict what will happen to the characters of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched - who will come out on top, and how will this champion of the ward end up getting the other's "goat"?


Also, why do you think the way you do?  Give reasons for your prediction. 

Nurse Ratched

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McMurphy is proving to be quite a pain for Nurse Ratched, and he will only continue to get worse from here on out.  Based on last night's reading, write a journal or diary entry from Ratched's point of view regarding her dealings with McMurphy (include specific evidence from the novel that further illustrate her frustration with him). 

Take your reader into Ratched's  innermost thoughts concerning this new patient, and explain how she plans to get him to comply with her rules.  Make sure that you adopt her manner of speaking, too!