John Graves 'The Last Running'
In the story The Last Running, John Graves reveals the developing fraternal bond and the understandings of culture through, protagonists, Starlight and Tom Bird. Due to the terse and parable writing language, Graves sets a comfortable tone with the audience to manifest the value of the lifestyle during that time. Starlight’s behavior is similar to Quanah Parker because they both had the ability to create a relationship with the whites. In order to survive, they both had to build a bond with the whites so that they can pursue their cultures. For example, “Parker was an assimilationist, an advocate of cooperation with whites and, in many cases, of cultural transformation” (Hosmer). This declares that Parker adapted to the whites so that he
could gain their accommodations. By winning their civility, Parker was enabled to work and become friends with Texans. In The Last Running, Tom Bird understood Starlight’s culture in the aspects of buffalo hunting. He realized it was necessary for Starlight’s people to kill a buffalo, therefore he stated “I’ve got four fat custards, and you can have your pick. They’re good meat, and I’ll eat some of it with you” (Graves 153). The statement displays the developing connection that Tom Bird is making with Starlight. The respect and acceptance of culture is displayed by Tom Bird agreeing to eat the buffalo with him. Tom Bird and Starlight’s relationship wasn’t fully shown but there was an internal link. In a way, Tom Bird also was like Parker because Tom Bird allowed Starlight to fulfill his cultural ways by giving him a buffalo and Parker “encouraged Indian youths to learn the white man’s ways” (Hosmer). They both accepted the diversity in culture to make the other race aware of them trying to adapt to it. Overall, the perception of Parkers, Tom Bird, and Starlight’s intentions are questionable because they were just trying to survive and fulfill their personal values. In order to keep their culture alive, they may have taken advantage of the people that came across them or they accepted each person’s morals.
could gain their accommodations. By winning their civility, Parker was enabled to work and become friends with Texans. In The Last Running, Tom Bird understood Starlight’s culture in the aspects of buffalo hunting. He realized it was necessary for Starlight’s people to kill a buffalo, therefore he stated “I’ve got four fat custards, and you can have your pick. They’re good meat, and I’ll eat some of it with you” (Graves 153). The statement displays the developing connection that Tom Bird is making with Starlight. The respect and acceptance of culture is displayed by Tom Bird agreeing to eat the buffalo with him. Tom Bird and Starlight’s relationship wasn’t fully shown but there was an internal link. In a way, Tom Bird also was like Parker because Tom Bird allowed Starlight to fulfill his cultural ways by giving him a buffalo and Parker “encouraged Indian youths to learn the white man’s ways” (Hosmer). They both accepted the diversity in culture to make the other race aware of them trying to adapt to it. Overall, the perception of Parkers, Tom Bird, and Starlight’s intentions are questionable because they were just trying to survive and fulfill their personal values. In order to keep their culture alive, they may have taken advantage of the people that came across them or they accepted each person’s morals.