Symbolism In The Journey Of Crazy Horse By Joseph M. Marshall
Native American cultures hold a strong association with nature and its symbolism. In Joseph M. Marshall’s biography, The Journey of Crazy Horse, this symbolism plays a major role in the culture and actions of the Lakota people. Snakes are a recurring symbol in Marshall’s novel. In addition, this image appears in a variety of instances that range from the childhood games of the Lakota to the mystic anecdotes of the tribal elders. However, the most important symbolism of the snake lies within its connection to the health and stability of the Lakota tribe. Marshal uses the snakes as a symbol of evil and a means of comparison for the invading white settlers of the era.
As a symbol, the snake can hold ambiguous meanings. With every shedding of
its skin, the snake has the ability to denote a positive or negative force. However, Marshall implies early in the biography that many Lakota view the snake negatively. This truth is revealed through the snake’s close relationship with the Lakota word, toka, meaning “enemy” (Marshall 47). In addition, Snake is also the name used to describe the Eastern Shoshoni, one of the Lakota’s neighboring tribes. While it is unclear where this tribe’s name originates, a Lakota elder confirms that they have been, “enemies for longer than anyone can remember” (118). Finally, a sense of resolute opposition is established to the symbol of the snake, when another elder coldly advised that, “When a rattlesnake crawls into your lodge, you crush it. You crush it because it knows the way to your lodge” (230).
In relationship to Marshall’s biographical account of Crazy Horse, the snake and the white settlers from the East have much in common. This connection is most notable emphasized through the raids that the two rival tribes partake in. In the beginning of the novel, the Lakota are very successful in their raids against the snakes who “grudgingly gave way but only because they were outnumbered” (19). The lesser strength of the Snakes early on parallels that of the white settlers at Fort Laramie who are forced to compromise and seek peace with the Native Americans that outnumbered them. However, the balance of power begins to shift in favor of the Snakes and their white counterparts. This change is marked by more Snakes moving into the Lakota territory and the corresponding trade increase among the whites. The dilemma becomes serious when several Lakota raids i=on the Snakes are unsuccessful and men close to Crazy Horse begin to die. First, Little Hawk, the younger brother of Crazy Horse, dies during a Snake raid. Later, Crazy Horse’s teacher, High Back Bone, takes a bullet in the chest after being outnumbered and surrounded by Snake warriors. This death holds great significance, as High Back Bone signifies a departure in the old way of life and the beginning of the Lakota’s destruction. Finally, the Snakes and the white settlers are depicted as one in the same when the Snakes join the Longknives against the Lakota in the Rosebud Fight.
Through Marshall’s examination of Lakota culture and their neighboring Shoshoni tribe, the symbolic importance of the snake is revealed as a sign of evil and a means of foreshadowing the actions of the invading white population. While there are many symbols contained within Native American cultures, the snake holds special importance for the Lakota and Marshall’s biography of Crazy Horse. By paying close attention to the symbolism all around them, the Lakota people could have come to an important realization before it was too late. “The rattlesnake has come into the lodge, and they couldn’t crush it. Now the must live with it” (247).
As a symbol, the snake can hold ambiguous meanings. With every shedding of
its skin, the snake has the ability to denote a positive or negative force. However, Marshall implies early in the biography that many Lakota view the snake negatively. This truth is revealed through the snake’s close relationship with the Lakota word, toka, meaning “enemy” (Marshall 47). In addition, Snake is also the name used to describe the Eastern Shoshoni, one of the Lakota’s neighboring tribes. While it is unclear where this tribe’s name originates, a Lakota elder confirms that they have been, “enemies for longer than anyone can remember” (118). Finally, a sense of resolute opposition is established to the symbol of the snake, when another elder coldly advised that, “When a rattlesnake crawls into your lodge, you crush it. You crush it because it knows the way to your lodge” (230).
In relationship to Marshall’s biographical account of Crazy Horse, the snake and the white settlers from the East have much in common. This connection is most notable emphasized through the raids that the two rival tribes partake in. In the beginning of the novel, the Lakota are very successful in their raids against the snakes who “grudgingly gave way but only because they were outnumbered” (19). The lesser strength of the Snakes early on parallels that of the white settlers at Fort Laramie who are forced to compromise and seek peace with the Native Americans that outnumbered them. However, the balance of power begins to shift in favor of the Snakes and their white counterparts. This change is marked by more Snakes moving into the Lakota territory and the corresponding trade increase among the whites. The dilemma becomes serious when several Lakota raids i=on the Snakes are unsuccessful and men close to Crazy Horse begin to die. First, Little Hawk, the younger brother of Crazy Horse, dies during a Snake raid. Later, Crazy Horse’s teacher, High Back Bone, takes a bullet in the chest after being outnumbered and surrounded by Snake warriors. This death holds great significance, as High Back Bone signifies a departure in the old way of life and the beginning of the Lakota’s destruction. Finally, the Snakes and the white settlers are depicted as one in the same when the Snakes join the Longknives against the Lakota in the Rosebud Fight.
Through Marshall’s examination of Lakota culture and their neighboring Shoshoni tribe, the symbolic importance of the snake is revealed as a sign of evil and a means of foreshadowing the actions of the invading white population. While there are many symbols contained within Native American cultures, the snake holds special importance for the Lakota and Marshall’s biography of Crazy Horse. By paying close attention to the symbolism all around them, the Lakota people could have come to an important realization before it was too late. “The rattlesnake has come into the lodge, and they couldn’t crush it. Now the must live with it” (247).