The central theme of Black Elk Speaks can be found on the first page of the book. The statement, " These things I shall remember by the way, and often they seem to be the very tale itself, as when I was living them in happiness and sorrow," made by Black Elk is the heart of the story. Black Elk presents the tale of his life in this historical narrative. He tells us about the challenges, heartache, and despair that he and his people endured as the white man and his capitalistic society overtook their own. Frolicking youth and aging wise men alike play a part in Black Elk's personal journey of growth and maturity. Black Elk does not lose sight of this goal. His mind does not occupy itself in the present; rather, it is caught up in the fight for his future. Even though the Wasichus came and reigned terror that might have consumed his life, he always kept the bigger picture in mind. Black Elk

Another theme that I believe is present in Black Elk Speaks is the respect for nature. Individually, there are many Americans who are concerned about our environment and numerous non-profit organizations strive to improve our environmental conditions. However, collectively in our culture, I believe that there is too little emphasis placed on the preservation of nature. In Black Elk Speaks, the Native Americans live off the land using only what is necessary for survival, continually giving back to the land and being careful not to deplete its resources or hoard an excess of what is needed. Americans on the other hand in the name of expansion, industry, and profit have pillaged the land, depleted natural resources (some to complete extinction) and have damaged the environment beyond repair. If Americans borrowed from the ideologies of the Native Americans and learned to return to a more simple and basic way of life as seen in the pages of Black Elk Speaks, we could preserve the resources we have left and give Mother Nature a well-deserved helping hand.

1. Holy man as healer of individuals and social groups- medicine man and social visionary are one sacred vocation. Black Elk prescribed healing remedies for sick individuals and public policy remedies for the Lakota Sioux nation as well.

"It was... only after the Heyoka ceremony, in which I preformed my dog vision, that I had the power to practice as a medicine man, curing sick people; and many I cured with the power that came through me. Of course it was not I who cured. It was the power from the out world, and the visions and ceremonies had only made me like a hole through which the power could come to the two-leggeds. If I thought I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no more power could come through."

Some common words found in the essay are:
Black Elk, Quotes- Interpretation, Black Elk's, Elk Speaks, Native Americans, Lakota Sioux, Individually Americans, black elk, Oglala Sioux, Plains Indians, elk speaks, black elk speaks, Imperative Themes-, black elk's, tale living happiness, living happiness, oglala sioux, nation's loop, speaks preserve, happiness sorrow, tale living, nation's loop broken, elk speaks preserve, loop broken, living happiness sorrow,
Approximate Word count = 1245
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)