Isolation In Joseph Boyden's Dances With Runner
It can be seen in both art and real life situations the negative and positive contributing factors which lead characters towards their uprising or downfall based on their choices. Often, the protagonist is primarily challenged by and opposing force, but in many cases the cause is character them self. This is true in the book "Through Black Spruce" by Joseph Boyden and the movie 'Dances with Wolves" directed by Kevin Costner. Both protagonists convey a side to them through relationships with animals during their period of isolation. Will's choices, however are egotistical and subjective, where as Johns choice to isolate himself can be attributed to his obligation and loyalty to his army. Johns journey guides him towards a new understanding of
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himself, where as Will struggles to cope with many decisions which make it difficult to believe he is thinking of anyone but himself, which impacts his character negatively. Therefore, though John and Will both are subject to isolation, Wills reasoning is not warranted because it is his self-centered attitude which blocks his ability to achieve a better understanding of himself through his relationships whereas John should be praised because it is his persistence towards others and his genuine effort to grow as a person which justifies his choice of isolation.
Johns established relationship within different animals exemplifies his trust put forth into that other than humans.
When John first realizes a wolf is shadowing him, he is tempted to kill it, but instead, leaves it be and as a result it begins to grow on him. John names the wolf "Two Socks", and describes it as having "keen eyes and ears [that] alert [him] when something is wrong." A trusting alliance is formed in this part of the movie as John confides in the wolf. Furthermore, the significance of an animal close to John impacts him greatly as his emotional attachment and association to that animal is shown when it dies. When the slaughtered buffalo are discovered by John and the Indians, he characterizes that whoever would have done such a thing is "without value [and] without soul." John perceives the buffalo as sacred which is largely influenced by his new way of life. The appreciation John felt towards the buffalo, reflects his loss of something he honored. Conversely, Will demonstrates affection for an animal which provides him with company. In the novel, when Will is face to face with a bear, he chooses to spare it's life instead of killing it. Will develops a certain connection with the bear and enjoys its visits. Will states "My bear came to me, and she was old enough and smart enough to sniff carefully, but she learned to trust me, too."(JosephBoyden155) Will associates with the bear as his own and accredits a common ground of trust and assurance. With this in mind, when Will discovers his sow slaughtered in the forest, this demonstrates the destruction Will undergoes. He epitomizes the massacred bear describing is by saying "Your chest was exposed, the bald patches of your pale skin giving way to the rip of the knife that gutted you.... You were drained. And I was, too."(165) As a result, a part of Will was defeated as well, when the bear her took refuge in was left in
ruins.
Although both protagonists are isolated, Will forced himself into it as he made it his only option after committing a crime. By choosing to do so, a self-created dilemma arises when he muses "It is not what I had forgotten that bothered me, I realized, but what I had left behind. My sister, Lisette, my missing nieces, my two friends, Joe and Gregor. Dorothy. That could have been something. I might never see any of them again."(191) Will knows how is actions may effect others and himself, but still decides to follow through with his plan. Will commits to his plan and expresses this when he says "Bush life is simple. Repetitive.... Fire, shelter, and food. You dedicate your every waking moment either to the actual pursuit or to the though of these three things."(208) Will persists through the long months, dedicating himself to nothing but the bush life and becomes self-reliant. In contrast, John chooses to isolate himself because he feels it is his duty. In the movie, when John received word that Fort Segwick was left unattended, he felt obligated to assign himself to it. Johns loyalty and commitment to something he finds just is apparent as he is sacrificing himself for the sake of his army. However, John becomes dependent on the Indians he shares the land with. John seeks alliances and company whereas Will is not as reliant to the people he shares his land with. In the film, after meeting with the Indians a number of times, John develops the desire to continually see them, and persists to learn more about their lifestyle. John progresses at his base camp by the help and teachings he exchanges with the Indians.
The interactions with the Indians help John to achieve self-awareness and provide a new outlook on what he believes is his true identity, which benefits his character in a positive manner. Throughout the movie, as John becomes accepted by the Indians, he expresses that '[He] finally knew who [he] really was after heading his Sioux name chanted over and over." This epiphany causes John to truly understand himself and his purpose of spending him among the Indians. After coming to terms with his identity, John stands behind his new understanding of himself. When the American soldiers capture him and begin to ridicule him for "turning Indian" he responds to them in Cree saying "[He] is dances with wolves." and that he "does not have to answer to them." John stays true to his new way of life which displays his bravery and undeniable acceptance that Indian is now a part of him. On the contrary, Will appears to be negatively influenced from his journey of isolating himself after his attempt at murder. Will used to be of sound-mind but after being detached from society, his thoughtful attitude is lost in his newly discovered selfish ways. Will explains "Your mother almost didn't recognize me. She thought I was close to starvation, but I told her it had just been the hard work and the living alone."(350) Will excluded himself away from people so much that people did not fully identify with him by first glance, which was a physical example of his development adversely. Finally, the fall of Wills character was primarily based on the effect his forced isolation had impacted him. Will once had different views of life which was seen through sparing the bears life, but after the attempted murder of Marius, he appears to be more self centered. This is shown when Joe, Gregor and Will are victimized by Marius and his friend as they beat them. Will reports "I try to figure out my odds out in my head. If they're going to kill us, then I need to try and stand up and run away.... But I should try, shouldn't I? Won't it be better to try and save my own life than to just let them kill me like this?"(378) Wills downfall appears to be the value of his life over others, which changed after an attempt of taking a life, and the consequences that followed.
himself, where as Will struggles to cope with many decisions which make it difficult to believe he is thinking of anyone but himself, which impacts his character negatively. Therefore, though John and Will both are subject to isolation, Wills reasoning is not warranted because it is his self-centered attitude which blocks his ability to achieve a better understanding of himself through his relationships whereas John should be praised because it is his persistence towards others and his genuine effort to grow as a person which justifies his choice of isolation.
Johns established relationship within different animals exemplifies his trust put forth into that other than humans.
When John first realizes a wolf is shadowing him, he is tempted to kill it, but instead, leaves it be and as a result it begins to grow on him. John names the wolf "Two Socks", and describes it as having "keen eyes and ears [that] alert [him] when something is wrong." A trusting alliance is formed in this part of the movie as John confides in the wolf. Furthermore, the significance of an animal close to John impacts him greatly as his emotional attachment and association to that animal is shown when it dies. When the slaughtered buffalo are discovered by John and the Indians, he characterizes that whoever would have done such a thing is "without value [and] without soul." John perceives the buffalo as sacred which is largely influenced by his new way of life. The appreciation John felt towards the buffalo, reflects his loss of something he honored. Conversely, Will demonstrates affection for an animal which provides him with company. In the novel, when Will is face to face with a bear, he chooses to spare it's life instead of killing it. Will develops a certain connection with the bear and enjoys its visits. Will states "My bear came to me, and she was old enough and smart enough to sniff carefully, but she learned to trust me, too."(JosephBoyden155) Will associates with the bear as his own and accredits a common ground of trust and assurance. With this in mind, when Will discovers his sow slaughtered in the forest, this demonstrates the destruction Will undergoes. He epitomizes the massacred bear describing is by saying "Your chest was exposed, the bald patches of your pale skin giving way to the rip of the knife that gutted you.... You were drained. And I was, too."(165) As a result, a part of Will was defeated as well, when the bear her took refuge in was left in
ruins.
Although both protagonists are isolated, Will forced himself into it as he made it his only option after committing a crime. By choosing to do so, a self-created dilemma arises when he muses "It is not what I had forgotten that bothered me, I realized, but what I had left behind. My sister, Lisette, my missing nieces, my two friends, Joe and Gregor. Dorothy. That could have been something. I might never see any of them again."(191) Will knows how is actions may effect others and himself, but still decides to follow through with his plan. Will commits to his plan and expresses this when he says "Bush life is simple. Repetitive.... Fire, shelter, and food. You dedicate your every waking moment either to the actual pursuit or to the though of these three things."(208) Will persists through the long months, dedicating himself to nothing but the bush life and becomes self-reliant. In contrast, John chooses to isolate himself because he feels it is his duty. In the movie, when John received word that Fort Segwick was left unattended, he felt obligated to assign himself to it. Johns loyalty and commitment to something he finds just is apparent as he is sacrificing himself for the sake of his army. However, John becomes dependent on the Indians he shares the land with. John seeks alliances and company whereas Will is not as reliant to the people he shares his land with. In the film, after meeting with the Indians a number of times, John develops the desire to continually see them, and persists to learn more about their lifestyle. John progresses at his base camp by the help and teachings he exchanges with the Indians.
The interactions with the Indians help John to achieve self-awareness and provide a new outlook on what he believes is his true identity, which benefits his character in a positive manner. Throughout the movie, as John becomes accepted by the Indians, he expresses that '[He] finally knew who [he] really was after heading his Sioux name chanted over and over." This epiphany causes John to truly understand himself and his purpose of spending him among the Indians. After coming to terms with his identity, John stands behind his new understanding of himself. When the American soldiers capture him and begin to ridicule him for "turning Indian" he responds to them in Cree saying "[He] is dances with wolves." and that he "does not have to answer to them." John stays true to his new way of life which displays his bravery and undeniable acceptance that Indian is now a part of him. On the contrary, Will appears to be negatively influenced from his journey of isolating himself after his attempt at murder. Will used to be of sound-mind but after being detached from society, his thoughtful attitude is lost in his newly discovered selfish ways. Will explains "Your mother almost didn't recognize me. She thought I was close to starvation, but I told her it had just been the hard work and the living alone."(350) Will excluded himself away from people so much that people did not fully identify with him by first glance, which was a physical example of his development adversely. Finally, the fall of Wills character was primarily based on the effect his forced isolation had impacted him. Will once had different views of life which was seen through sparing the bears life, but after the attempted murder of Marius, he appears to be more self centered. This is shown when Joe, Gregor and Will are victimized by Marius and his friend as they beat them. Will reports "I try to figure out my odds out in my head. If they're going to kill us, then I need to try and stand up and run away.... But I should try, shouldn't I? Won't it be better to try and save my own life than to just let them kill me like this?"(378) Wills downfall appears to be the value of his life over others, which changed after an attempt of taking a life, and the consequences that followed.