I Give You Back Joy Harjo Analysis

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Joy Harjo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 9, 1951 (Napikoski). She is an activistwho fights for Indigenous Cultures, Women, and the Environment. These strong beliefs areevident in her body of work. I will draw parallels between Harjo’s life and three pieces of work –“I Give You Back”, “She Has Some Horses”, and “Eagle Poem”.In “I Give You Back” (Harjo 477-8) Harjo writes of fear. A collective Fear of IndigenousPeople. Being of Mvskoke, or Creek, and Cherokee descent (Napikoski) she describes many ofthe injustices that were handed to the Indian people. This poem speaks of the horrors the Indianshad to endure when the White Men raided the villages and in the days since. Horrors starvation,raping, and torture. Harjo feels these pains and has

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