Vanishing Indian Analysis

The nineteenth century, a period of considerable expansion in the eyes of the American beholders; induced already prevalent feelings of superiority over the indigenous peoples of America, whom they referred to as “Indians” or “savages” The Euro-American belief of distinction between the “civilized” and “savages” were accentuated in the “universal law of progress,” and “law of vices and virtues,” leading to the emergence of the famed myth, the “vanishing” Indian, which insinuated the white ideal of the Native American population dwindling into nothingness (Ferdinando). The eighteen-hundreds marked the rise in naturalistic literature integrating the myth of the “vanishing” Indian into popular culture.
Playwrights with their increased popularity

For instance, “Liar and coward! Let him preserve thee now!” (Stone 13) Metamora’s comment in terms of the context is ruthless. Kaweshine, the Indian prophet, speaks of the imminent future, begging Metamora to make amends with the Europeans to avoid the Wampanoag’s demise. Metamora, unwilling to confide in such a cynical prophecy becomes irate, and would have assassinated Kaweshine if Nahmeokee hadn’t imposed. Furthermore, Metamora repeatedly refers to himself in the third person; rarely uttering the name of other characters, giving the impression of philistinism. As a way of illustration, “…daughter of the pale face; Metamora forgives not a wrong…” (Stone 3) Instead of referring to Oceana by her given name, he calls her “pale ‘face,” and refers to himself as “Metamora.” In short, such dialogue demonstrates the Euro-American belief of “savagery;” lacking civilization and thus barbaric and lacking in knowledge, which befit the “Indians” based on the Euro-American

Oceana, for example, inclined to save her father, Mordaunt, was willing to sacrifice her own life, exclaiming, “Father, farewell!” as Metamora was about to throw her into the flames of a burning house. Metamora opting to not commit murder, hurled her to her father; (befitting the persona of the “noble savage”) unwilling to take out his anger on such an innocent and selfless maiden. Moreover, Walter, the orphan boy, warns Metamora of the impending doom, “…A thousand warlike men will rush to arms…” begging him to “renew…. the bond that made the white and red man brothers,” giving amicable advice (Stone 11). Thus, Walter and Oceana are to represent the “new world order,” supporting President Jackson’s actions in the passing of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 (Jones 16). All things considered, this dialogue depicts those of European lineage as civilized beings with an exquisite sense of morality and