A Man Called Horse
No matter what circumstances we are born into we all search for meaning and purpose in our lives. Sometimes, even people who are born into privileged circumstances and seem to have it all, still feel they need to search for an identity. They may not know what they are really searching for, but they feel a need to know who they are. I think this was the case with the man called Horse. This was also the case with his captor, his owner, and his wife. We could compare the young white man, Horse, in this story to teenagers today. They have all the things their parents give them and often they are still not content. They test the value system they have grown up with. They often go against their parents' and grandparents' wishes. They put life to the test and usually come to realize what is of most value to them eventually. The young man set out on what would be a journey of self discovery. He had a lot of pride in his heart. "He had the idea that in Indian country, where there was danger, all white men were kings, and he wanted to be one of them." But he was knocked down the first notch when he discovered out there that some men could still be his superiors even when they cou
As he accepts the ways of the Crows for what they are, he begins to understand them. He goes through a transformation in his values and is not as concerned about what used to be so important to him such as escaping. His thoughts previously had always been of getting away but each time as he came to understand their ways and feelings he wanted less to get away and was less likely to criticize the things they did. Although Horse is upset when the women sacrifice all their belongings in their grieving, he feels obligated to stay and help them. He never felt any obligations before in his life. He has a sense of purpose now that he has earned his future. We could compare Horse with Yellow Robe. Yellow Robe, the story says, "lived like a lord" and he was full of pride. "The white man was so far beneath him in status that the Indian did not even think of envy." This was much the same as the state the young white man before he started out on his adventure. However, when Yellow Robe's wife is stolen which forces him to be humble, his reaction is one of self pity. Instead of being humble like a horse he chooses to take dangerous risks. This eventually leads him to his death. The young man, on the other hand, takes every opportunity to better his position, realizing that "a future was something to be earned."
Some common words found in the essay are:
Yellow Robe's, Called Horse, Yellow Robe, called horse, begins understand, meaning purpose, purpose life, yellow robe, stripped pride,
Approximate Word count = 1031
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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