english lecture - there there

Historical Context of Thanksgiving

• 1621 Event

  • Colonists invited Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoag tribe, to a feast after a recent land deal.
  • Massasoit attended the meal with 90 of his men.
  • This meal is often misrepresented as the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Not a Thanksgiving meal; it was a land deal meal.

• 1637 Massacre

  • During a Pequot annual green corn dance, an event with 400 to 700 Pequot in attendance.
  • Colonists surrounded their village, set it on fire, and shot anyone trying to escape.
  • The day following the massacre, the Massachusetts Bay Colony held a feast to celebrate, declaring it a day of Thanksgiving.

• Patterns of Violence and Commemoration

  • Celebrations of massacres were common among colonists.
  • In Manhattan, colonists were reported to have celebrated by kicking the heads of Pequot people through the streets, indicating a history marked by violence.

Reassessment of History

• Critical Observations by Orange

  • Highlighting how history is told in certain ways; the victories overshadow the violence and atrocities.
  • Prompts a discussion about which histories are celebrated and which are erased over time.

• Contrast with Popular Narratives of Thanksgiving

  • Traditional narratives often glorify the story of friendship between Pilgrims and Native Americans.
  • The established narrative is in stark contrast with historical accounts of violence and deceit.
  • Discusses themes of deceit and the lack of genuine friendship represented in historical interactions.

• Implications for Modern Understanding

  • These contrasting narratives implicate contemporary society in complicity, urging a need for understanding and acknowledgment of the true historical context.

The Role of the Prologue in There There

• Function of the Prologue

  • Provides a historical backdrop of violence and genocide against indigenous peoples in North America due to colonization.
  • Illustrates ongoing forms of colonization, land dispossession, dehumanization, and discrimination faced by indigenous communities.
  • Serves a dual purpose of delivering necessary historical context and engaging readers to reflect on their own assumptions and knowledge.

• Quote from Orange

  • "We've been defined by everyone else and continue to be slandered despite easy to look up on the internet facts about the realities of our histories and current state as a people."
  • Explains the importance of indigneous people telling their histories as opposed to settler narratives.

• Media Representation Concern

  • Discusses the pervasive misrepresentation of indigenous people through media and other forms.
  • The problem is compounded by popular stereotypes, making authentic representation challenging.

• Ongoing Themes

  • Characters in the novel also engage with correcting misrepresentation in their narratives.

Symbolism and Themes

• Representation of Images

  • The passage from the prologue discusses indigenous heads appearing in media, such as on flags, jerseys, and coins.
  • Reflects the violence of colonial history—referencing scalps and literal violence.

• Themes of Dehumanization

  • The repeated reference to “heads” emphasizes dehumanization and reduction of indigenous individuals to caricatures.

• Historical Context of Violence

  • References to Edward Cornwallis and the Extirpation Proclamation, highlighting systemic violence against indigenous peoples.

• Connection to Urban Experiences

  • The portrayal of urban indigenous experiences is a significant part of modern indigenous identity which challenges traditional narratives.

Thematic Connections to Dean’s Film Project

• Dean's Film Purpose

  • Aims to document true indigenous stories within urban contexts, countering stereotypes and misrepresentation.
  • References a desire for stories to be told authentically, without external direction or manipulation.

• Self-Representation

  • The film represents a return to indigenous narratives through indigenous voices, restoring agency amid historical erasure.

• Cultural Themes

  • Dean’s film efforts parallel the novel itself, suggesting continuity within indigenous storytelling traditions.

Reflection on Modern Indigenous Identity

• Challenges Faced in Representation

  • Urban indigenous peoples often face invisibility, as stereotypes mostly focus on rural experiences and the concept of the ecological native.
  • Dean’s work counters these issues by focusing on urban experiences, showing that indigenous life persists beyond traditional contexts.

• Impact of Gentrification

  • Urban displacement of indigenous peoples due to gentrification mirrors historical displacement, connecting colonial past with contemporary struggles.