Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee Sparknotes

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For my book report, I chose to review the book, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West”, which was written by Dee Brown in 1971 and published by New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. The book contains 298 pages total and has around 265 pages of content. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is an emotional recount of the Native American experiences during the latter half of the 19th century. Throughout his book, Dee Brown examines and discusses the many difficulties and horrors faced by Native Americans at the hands of American settlers, government, and military. The book introduces the many diverse tribes of the North Americas, showcasing their connection to the lands and highlighting their cultures and traditions. However, …show more content…

The Sand Creek massacre is another notable relocation; Cheyenne and Arapaho civilians were slaughtered by US troops, and the remaining people were forced to relocate. The book also lists several key figures, showcasing the resistance efforts led by leaders like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Geronimo. Despite their courage and determination, Native American tribes faced overwhelming odds as they struggled to defend their way of life against settlers and government that aimed to assimilate. However, one of the most tragic and bloody events by far described in the book is the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890, where hundreds of unarmed Lakota Sioux, including women and children, were killed by US Army troops (this instance is where the title of the book comes from). This incident serves as a parallel to the larger patterns of violence, dispossession, and dispossession, and cultural destruction that Native Americans endured during this period. Brown's purpose in writing his book is to provide a comprehensive account of the injustices suffered by indigenous peoples at the hands of the US government, military, and …show more content…

In Dee Brown’s writing, he sympathizes with Native Americans, but the bias does not affect the contents of the text. He states the facts: indigenous people have faced brutality and suffered at the hands of colonial settlers, and he provides ample evidence and recounts to back up his claims. His bias ultimately amplifies the voices of indigenous peoples and highlights the historical trauma they faced. As a reader, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”, is an incredibly impactful and eye-opening dark chapter of American history. The book is both informative whilst also able to emotionally resonate with readers, offering vivid and detailed portrayals of cultural genocide and the subsequent effects of colonialism. I found “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” to be a compelling and educational read, and it provided insight into a period of history that is often overlooked or hidden away. While reading, I felt that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the prejudices faced by Indigenous Americans, as well as their courage and resilience in the face of

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