Mary Englunds An Indian Remembers
This paper is an attempt to discuss the biography of Mary Englund's An Indian Remembers based on her childhood experiences in a Christian European convent. Her story starts from the day she is taken away from her family to be civilized in a distant residential school. Englund's experience in the school could be described as European way of civilizing the young native people that includes compulsory assimilation, segregation, control and racism. The concept of civilization is perceived to be for the best interest of the Indian community, or at least this is what it seems to appear like. Thus, this paper will tackle the issues of methods used to civilize the Natives and its effects on Englund's personality and mentality as well as the real purpose behind civilization. Is it really for the best interest of the Indian people or is it a form of exploitation of the Natives to benefit the European colonialists? Assimilation is one form used to civilize the native children. This seems to put Englund to a lot of curiosity eventually to confusions. On her first day in Mission, Englund learns about the assimilation policy implemented by the convent which draws out her curiosity about its purpose. In her experience, she learns that boys
" (431) Due to her mother's recurrent absence, it seems like Englund does not have the chance to bond with her which explains her coldness towards her mother. Through this, Englund seems to suffer from isolation. This explains her ignorance about the system of a Christian convent. She mentions that the nuns believe that Indians eat rotten fish so they give less attention to the food they serve them (438). Because of this, Englund seems to believe that Indians are the inferior race. Englund also observes girls being divided in groups to certain tables during meals and girls are assigned to different jobs, some goes to the dormitory while others to kitchen or classrooms. Even during their domestic activities like cleaning, mending socks and sewing, the nuns instil perfection in their works. When she arrives in the Mission, she is then separated from her brother. Instead the convent recommends Englund to work for an old lady as a caretaker. This seems to be the cause of the development of Englund's rebellious nature. and girls live in separate buildings and wonders why. Englund recalls when a priest takes her from her family (430). This appears like the priest is ashamed to be seen sitting with the Natives. If this is indeed the real motive, this contradicts the outcome of Englund's life after school.
Common topics in this essay:
Mission Englund,
Furthermore Englund,
Christian European,
Natives European's,
Father Chirouse,
Englund Indian,
English Sister,
Christianity Christian,
Moreover Englund,
Despite Indians,
native children,
indian community,
englund's personality mentality,
mission englund,
englund's experience,
personality mentality,
believe indians,
englund recalls,
rebellious nature,
control racism,
don't talk bell,
talk bell rings,
indian people,
|
Acceptance Essays
