The Role Of Quanah In Empire Of The Summer Moon

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne is a powerful, true story of the Comanche Indian Nation spanning over forty years of history. Encompassing the vast plains of the American Southwest, including the present states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado, the Comanche Indian Nation found their beloved homelands in jeopardy as American Pioneers moved west. Within the forty-year battle rose the last chief of the Comanche Nation, Quanah Parker. Throughout his life time, Quanah faced many challenges, but still managed to affirm himself as one of the most influential and powerful leaders of the Comanche Indian Nation.

The beginnings of Quanah’s life as a Comanche were not typical in any sense, but showed promising signs as a future war

Based on the evidence provided, we have two possible answers. The first being the obvious yes, Isa-tai did have an influence on Quanah’s status. With such an enormous backing of support, Isa-tai brought a lot of attention to the Comanche warrior. Attention that maybe Quanah would never had achieved if not for Isa-tai. On the other hand, and the answer we are lead to believe, is that Isa-tai had no influence on Quanah’s status. In fact, a strong negative influence can even be taken from the relations Isa-Tai and Quanah had together. Obviously from the start, Isa-tai had mixed intentions. He was never working for the good of the People, but rather for the good of himself, which was unlike Quanah’s intentions. After the downfall of Isa-tai, Quanah likely received some backlash from his connection and trust in Isa-tai. However, Quanah is a natural born leader and Isa-tai in the end had little effect on Quanah, whether positive or negative. As stated before, Quanah’s potential blossomed at an early age, becoming a war chief at a young age and showcasing his innate leadership during the expedition with Bear’s Ear. Without the events that shattered the reputation of Isa-tai, there is no doubt that Quanah would have still become the greatest warrior and leader of the Comanche

We cannot answer this question, however, without first considering Quanah leadership skills he had shown later in his life. As a tribal leader of a reservation containing the last members of the fallen Comanche Nation, Quanah was seen as a very generous and kindhearted individual. He frequently distributed out his own food, home, and money to a great number of his People. Because of this, Quanah had little money and food of his own, but that did not stop him. Quanah insisted on the well-being of his People, rather than himself. When his People needed land, he gave them land. When they needed a school leader, he stepped in. When his People needed a religious leader, he stepped in. No matter the case or the cause, Quanah would always fight for his People and was known to do just that until his death. Because of this, it is firmly believed that Quanah would have had the same, if not more, of an influence as Isa-tai had when uniting the troops. Although Quanah’s approach may have not been as convincing as Isa-tai’s con man approach, Quanah would have been able to use his natural leadership skills and power as a warrior to do just the same as