The Light In The Forest Analysis
Coming to America the English settlers didn’t know what to expect, they hoped for a strong interaction with the Natives who could help them settle in. They hoped that the two groups would get along harmoniously and become allies. Many envisioned the Natives would acquaint the English settlers to the land and advise them how to live off of that land. In addition, the settlers concluded that the Natives and English settlers would be able to expand one another’s community and expand their own knowledge. The Natives were accustomed to the area and knew how to nurture the land and use its natural resource. Unknown to the English, these Native had already experienced the Spanish settlers and had learned to protected their resources and themselves quite well. Would the outcome be different with the English settlers? Expecting to discover Natives who were
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welcoming and cooperative, the English would be discontent.
Although some thought the English settlers and Natives would be compatible, the differences between the two were quite extreme. These two groups couldn’t find the “Middle Ground.” Compromise and relinquishment on either side was out of the question. Each side was unreasonable. English had different cultural views creating “cultural baggage”. Instead the trying to negotiate, Natives and English settlers were single-mindedly focus on what each could gain. At no time were the rights or needs or others ever considered. Since there would be no deliberating, all issues were handled through altercations. Each side would seek revenge through tactics such as; burning villages, ruining crops, and even abducting children. It did not matter how many lives were lost, or what property was destroyed, the Natives and English settlers could not find a compromise, a “Middle Ground.” There was no possibility of a congenial exchange between the two.
However, it was possible for the Natives and English settlers to have a harmonious interaction. The Natives and English settlers had a strong trading system that benefitted each side. This trading system was beneficial because each party received the goods that were vital to survive. With this in mind, one would surmise that there was a mutual respect for each other. Unfortunately, in spite of a trade, the English settlers and Native Americans chose to dispute. Unlike, the French and their dealings with the Natives, there was no concession from the English settlers. As seen in Ritcher’s The Light in the Forest, both society’s overstepped their boundaries. Although all these things are true and the Natives and English settlers realized they needed to form allies. These two groups could benefit from one another there could very well have been an amicable interaction through dependent trade because there was tension in farming which lead to conflict that was created over the ideology “ownership” of the land.
In the novel, The Light in the Forest gives us a glimpse of how true interaction went on between the English settlers and the Natives.
Each side saw the situation only through their lens and didn’t agree nor appreciate how the other group handled the situation. The Natives and English settlers would kill the other side in order to get revenge. Sometimes the Natives would go as far as abducting a settler to replace one of their own. The Light in the Forest illustrates a story of a little boy who was taken by the Indians from his English settler parents. Growing up with the Natives, the boy believed he was one of them. However, when the Natives returned the true son, taken eleven years’ prior, The Natives didn’t not cause conflict when returning the boy but deep down wanted the boy for themselves. The Light in the Forest gives a great example where True Sons Indian father explains that in the end he will always be an Indian at heart, “Your head is Indian. But your blood is still think like the whites.” His Indian father is trying to teach True Son that he doesn’t fit in with the tribe and must continue on with
life.
Throughout the novel, each side started to fight for True Son which did not go to well. People from both sides were killed due to the fact that both side believed True Son was a part of their community. But through chaos and hardship neither side wanted him in the end. The reason behind this is that there wasn’t a “Middle Ground” where they could talk it over. None of this conflict would have happened if the Natives didn’t take True Son, however if both the English settlers and Natives would have talked and maybe asked True Son where he wanted to be. In the end there wouldn’t have been deaths or violent interaction.
As the English settlers began to arrive to America they desired a peaceful interchange between the Natives and themselves. The settlers sought wanted allies who would aid them as they made this new land their home. As seen in the novel, the Natives were peaceful and his Indian father even said, “Now go like an Indian, True son. Give me no shame.” . This is a perfect example on how the Natives didn’t want to fight and wanted a peaceful relationship. The English settlers had ascertained that the Natives were willing to assist them and were agreeable. Perhaps, the settlers though, these natives would instruct them on the ways of the land. As stated in the article A Clash of Cultures in the New World, “The first permanent settlers in New England began arriving in 1620. They wanted to live in peace with the Indians. They needed to trade with them for food.” Since, the English settlers were out-numbered by the Natives, they knew they needed develop a strong positive relationship with these Natives. If the Natives were to become their supporters, their chances of surviving this new great territory. On the other hand, the English settlers had also heard from the Spanish that the Natives were vicious and self-interested. The Spanish settlers revealed to the English that the Natives weren’t willing to cooperate or trade with “invaders”. These statements, however, were erroneous. Throughout time the Natives and English settlers depended on one another. For instance, in History Alive it illustrates that, “in the 1660s, the English formed an alliance with the powerful Iroquois. This alliance gave them access to furs in the lands around the Great Lakes and into the Ohio Valley.” Both realized they could benefit from one another and would need to get along.
The relationship between the English settlers and Native people was a complicated one. As seen in the article, When the Native American Indians First Met the European Settlers, “Thing didn’t start of well and the settlers became very suspicious of the indigenous people. And the Indians surely felt the same, but they had their own motivations for contact.” In the beginning, neither side wanted to compromise and be cooperative, however both realized they were reliant on one another for trade. Nevertheless, other than trading, each side focused on their own interests and used whatever strategy to ensure their goals were achieved. The way the Natives and English settlers traded was interesting. One way they traded was a male English settler would become a part of the Indian tribe have babies with some of the ladies and the tribe would give them gifts. After the time was up, the Englishman would just leave and carry on his mission leaving the ladies to raise the children by them self.
The Natives were looked down upon by the English settlers. This made it hard for a peaceful interaction. The English settlers were interested on how the Natives nurtured the land of Settlers focus was on taking from the land what they believed was theirs to take. Natives, however, knew how the land worked and would only use what they needed. For instance, they grew three main crops: corn, beans, and squash. The corn was good from August to November early December; the beans would wrap around the corn; and lastly, the squash acted as weeds at the bottom of the stock. Even the way the Natives planted their crops showed the interconnection between themselves and the land. Their skillful use of the Earth’s natural resources enables them to survive. The Natives had a respect for the land. They only took what they needed. When the English settlers were purchasing land, the Natives were confused. How can the English acquire that that never belonged to them?
The interaction between the two was arduous because each had different viewpoints. A peaceful relationship was possible if both parties had an open mind. Instead the English settlers believed that the Natives would teach them bad customs and ruin what they were set out to do. Due to those beliefs, the Natives and English settlers became adversaries. Their goal was to ruin each other’s lives. Even stated in the novel, True Son’s Indian father explains to True Son that the English settlers were indeed their enemies as he stated, “They are our enemies, yes.” Both sides couldn’t get along and at times saw each other as enemies instead of allies. The Native American would kill the English settler’s livestock and set fire to their land. The English settlers burned down Indian villages and destroy their land. While this was going on, the English settlers found that tobacco was able to grow on the land. Although it ruined the land, the English realized this would make a huge profit off of the crop. Taking all the nutrients out of the land was no concern for the settlers. There would be consequences for that decision. Instead of communicating with the Natives, the English settlers just expanded and used as much land as they needed even if it wasn’t convenient to the other party. With the profitable tobacco crops being so successful, the settlers needed to expand and use more land. Which meant entering into the Native people’s territory. The settlers ruined the land and this meant the two groups had more conflict. Instead of cooperating with one another to find a balance, the two sides turned to violence. Coexistence was hard to come across since each side only focused on their needs and interests.
In order for a good relationship, both parties needed to realize that if they worked together, it would make life easier. Since both sides were stubborn at times it made it difficult for the English and Natives to have a connection. The English settlers were unwilling to merge ideologies and Native saw violence as revenge. The relationship shown through The Light in the Forest is accurate due to the fact that each side fought for what they wanted and would even kill others to accomplish their goal. Neither side was right for what they did. The Natives could have been more welcoming creating a better atmosphere. Whereas the English settlers should have come in with an open mind realizing they aren’t the boss and that the Natives were there first. Overall the Native and English Settlers had a possibility of creating a strong interaction but in the end couldn’t quite succeed. If they had the ability to understand and compromise with one another, our world today would be different.
welcoming and cooperative, the English would be discontent.
Although some thought the English settlers and Natives would be compatible, the differences between the two were quite extreme. These two groups couldn’t find the “Middle Ground.” Compromise and relinquishment on either side was out of the question. Each side was unreasonable. English had different cultural views creating “cultural baggage”. Instead the trying to negotiate, Natives and English settlers were single-mindedly focus on what each could gain. At no time were the rights or needs or others ever considered. Since there would be no deliberating, all issues were handled through altercations. Each side would seek revenge through tactics such as; burning villages, ruining crops, and even abducting children. It did not matter how many lives were lost, or what property was destroyed, the Natives and English settlers could not find a compromise, a “Middle Ground.” There was no possibility of a congenial exchange between the two.
However, it was possible for the Natives and English settlers to have a harmonious interaction. The Natives and English settlers had a strong trading system that benefitted each side. This trading system was beneficial because each party received the goods that were vital to survive. With this in mind, one would surmise that there was a mutual respect for each other. Unfortunately, in spite of a trade, the English settlers and Native Americans chose to dispute. Unlike, the French and their dealings with the Natives, there was no concession from the English settlers. As seen in Ritcher’s The Light in the Forest, both society’s overstepped their boundaries. Although all these things are true and the Natives and English settlers realized they needed to form allies. These two groups could benefit from one another there could very well have been an amicable interaction through dependent trade because there was tension in farming which lead to conflict that was created over the ideology “ownership” of the land.
In the novel, The Light in the Forest gives us a glimpse of how true interaction went on between the English settlers and the Natives.
Each side saw the situation only through their lens and didn’t agree nor appreciate how the other group handled the situation. The Natives and English settlers would kill the other side in order to get revenge. Sometimes the Natives would go as far as abducting a settler to replace one of their own. The Light in the Forest illustrates a story of a little boy who was taken by the Indians from his English settler parents. Growing up with the Natives, the boy believed he was one of them. However, when the Natives returned the true son, taken eleven years’ prior, The Natives didn’t not cause conflict when returning the boy but deep down wanted the boy for themselves. The Light in the Forest gives a great example where True Sons Indian father explains that in the end he will always be an Indian at heart, “Your head is Indian. But your blood is still think like the whites.” His Indian father is trying to teach True Son that he doesn’t fit in with the tribe and must continue on with
life.
Throughout the novel, each side started to fight for True Son which did not go to well. People from both sides were killed due to the fact that both side believed True Son was a part of their community. But through chaos and hardship neither side wanted him in the end. The reason behind this is that there wasn’t a “Middle Ground” where they could talk it over. None of this conflict would have happened if the Natives didn’t take True Son, however if both the English settlers and Natives would have talked and maybe asked True Son where he wanted to be. In the end there wouldn’t have been deaths or violent interaction.
As the English settlers began to arrive to America they desired a peaceful interchange between the Natives and themselves. The settlers sought wanted allies who would aid them as they made this new land their home. As seen in the novel, the Natives were peaceful and his Indian father even said, “Now go like an Indian, True son. Give me no shame.” . This is a perfect example on how the Natives didn’t want to fight and wanted a peaceful relationship. The English settlers had ascertained that the Natives were willing to assist them and were agreeable. Perhaps, the settlers though, these natives would instruct them on the ways of the land. As stated in the article A Clash of Cultures in the New World, “The first permanent settlers in New England began arriving in 1620. They wanted to live in peace with the Indians. They needed to trade with them for food.” Since, the English settlers were out-numbered by the Natives, they knew they needed develop a strong positive relationship with these Natives. If the Natives were to become their supporters, their chances of surviving this new great territory. On the other hand, the English settlers had also heard from the Spanish that the Natives were vicious and self-interested. The Spanish settlers revealed to the English that the Natives weren’t willing to cooperate or trade with “invaders”. These statements, however, were erroneous. Throughout time the Natives and English settlers depended on one another. For instance, in History Alive it illustrates that, “in the 1660s, the English formed an alliance with the powerful Iroquois. This alliance gave them access to furs in the lands around the Great Lakes and into the Ohio Valley.” Both realized they could benefit from one another and would need to get along.
The relationship between the English settlers and Native people was a complicated one. As seen in the article, When the Native American Indians First Met the European Settlers, “Thing didn’t start of well and the settlers became very suspicious of the indigenous people. And the Indians surely felt the same, but they had their own motivations for contact.” In the beginning, neither side wanted to compromise and be cooperative, however both realized they were reliant on one another for trade. Nevertheless, other than trading, each side focused on their own interests and used whatever strategy to ensure their goals were achieved. The way the Natives and English settlers traded was interesting. One way they traded was a male English settler would become a part of the Indian tribe have babies with some of the ladies and the tribe would give them gifts. After the time was up, the Englishman would just leave and carry on his mission leaving the ladies to raise the children by them self.
The Natives were looked down upon by the English settlers. This made it hard for a peaceful interaction. The English settlers were interested on how the Natives nurtured the land of Settlers focus was on taking from the land what they believed was theirs to take. Natives, however, knew how the land worked and would only use what they needed. For instance, they grew three main crops: corn, beans, and squash. The corn was good from August to November early December; the beans would wrap around the corn; and lastly, the squash acted as weeds at the bottom of the stock. Even the way the Natives planted their crops showed the interconnection between themselves and the land. Their skillful use of the Earth’s natural resources enables them to survive. The Natives had a respect for the land. They only took what they needed. When the English settlers were purchasing land, the Natives were confused. How can the English acquire that that never belonged to them?
The interaction between the two was arduous because each had different viewpoints. A peaceful relationship was possible if both parties had an open mind. Instead the English settlers believed that the Natives would teach them bad customs and ruin what they were set out to do. Due to those beliefs, the Natives and English settlers became adversaries. Their goal was to ruin each other’s lives. Even stated in the novel, True Son’s Indian father explains to True Son that the English settlers were indeed their enemies as he stated, “They are our enemies, yes.” Both sides couldn’t get along and at times saw each other as enemies instead of allies. The Native American would kill the English settler’s livestock and set fire to their land. The English settlers burned down Indian villages and destroy their land. While this was going on, the English settlers found that tobacco was able to grow on the land. Although it ruined the land, the English realized this would make a huge profit off of the crop. Taking all the nutrients out of the land was no concern for the settlers. There would be consequences for that decision. Instead of communicating with the Natives, the English settlers just expanded and used as much land as they needed even if it wasn’t convenient to the other party. With the profitable tobacco crops being so successful, the settlers needed to expand and use more land. Which meant entering into the Native people’s territory. The settlers ruined the land and this meant the two groups had more conflict. Instead of cooperating with one another to find a balance, the two sides turned to violence. Coexistence was hard to come across since each side only focused on their needs and interests.
In order for a good relationship, both parties needed to realize that if they worked together, it would make life easier. Since both sides were stubborn at times it made it difficult for the English and Natives to have a connection. The English settlers were unwilling to merge ideologies and Native saw violence as revenge. The relationship shown through The Light in the Forest is accurate due to the fact that each side fought for what they wanted and would even kill others to accomplish their goal. Neither side was right for what they did. The Natives could have been more welcoming creating a better atmosphere. Whereas the English settlers should have come in with an open mind realizing they aren’t the boss and that the Natives were there first. Overall the Native and English Settlers had a possibility of creating a strong interaction but in the end couldn’t quite succeed. If they had the ability to understand and compromise with one another, our world today would be different.