In the book Black Elk Speaks, John Neihardt tells the story of a Lakota Sioux holy man and how his visionary experiences impacted both his Native American nation and the world in general. Indeed, the book is not simply Black Elk’s personal story or biography, but instead serves as an examination of the fate of his tribe as well. Through his conversations with Neihardt, Black Elk explains how his vision from the other world called him to a life of holiness, and brought upon him the responsibility of guiding his tribal nation to peace and prosperity. Black Elk also received the ability to heal the sick and dying as a result of his vision, but despite the fact that he was able to use this power to help many in his tribe, the fact that he was unable to ensure peace for his tribe and the world at large proves to be a tragic failure for Black Elk.

Certainly, much of Black Elk Speaks seems to mourn Black Elk’s failure to achieve peace for his n

ation and the word in general. However, Black Elk does not perceive the failure solely in personal terms; instead, he is incredibly regretful that he has failed his nation. Black Elk explains tha It is t “… I am going to tell the story of my life… and if it were only the story of my life I think I would not tell it; for what is one man that he should make much of his winters, even when they bend him like a heavy snow?” (Neihardt 1). For Black Elk, the importance of his nation and the larger world of all living creatures is never lost on him. Whatever personal feelings that he might have regarding his failure to secure peace are secondary to his concern for his nation. Thus, Black Elk Speaks is truly the tale of the Lakota Sioux nation and how it was unable to withstand the dangers posed by the outside world.

At the same time, the pipe can also be seen to symbolize Black Elk’s duty to the forces of the natural world. It reminds the reader of the fact that he was presented with the opportunity and means to restore hope and peace to his nation by his vision from the other world. Because it recurs as an image throughout the book, the pipe also serves as a reminder of Black Elk’s given duty and the fact that he believes he failed the Great Spirit, his nation, and the world in general.

Within the book, the image of the pipe is crucial, as it is directly linked to the idea of Black Elk’s failure.

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