Perhaps Eastman wouldn’t have found himself so confused if it weren’t for his family and their opposing views against each other. His family relationship represents a lot of confusion. His grandmother had raised Eastman because everyone had thought his father had passed away. One day, it was discovered that Eastman’s father never died and he returned back to the tribe. While talking wit

At the same time, Eastman’s grandmother did not like the idea of venturing out into the world, but Eastman reminded her of the first principles of their own teaching, “when you see a new trail, or a footprint that you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing.” This situation had a huge effect on Eastman; one because family values are a very important aspect of Indian culture, and Eastman did want to upset his grandmother. But finally his grandmother understood he had made his decision and supported him, though she did not like the idea of his leaving. His internal battle represented a battle of tradition versus modernity. His grandmother represented tradition. She was everything that Eastman knew and was use to, and His father represented Modernity. He showed adventure and the idea of seeing things and experiencing things for you.

As the book progresses, Eastman’s view on Christianity slowly starts to change. He starts to study the texts and reads the bibles. After a farmer rejects Eastman because he is a Sioux Indian he concludes that the “Christian civilization” was in fact the “ideal civilization”..

Looking back at the book, I think the root of Eastman’s contradictions is obvious. This is man that found himself stuck in a fork in a road for his entire life. He found that on one side of him he was a Native American Indian, while on his other side he was a Christian doctor. He swayed back and forth with both Identities not knowing where he had belonged in this world. It’s not until the end of the book he finds himself and where his spirit laid. He states, “Nevertheless, so long as I live, I am an American.”

h his son one day, he tells him how he has seen the world and thinks it would be a good idea for his son to

Some topics in this essay:
Charles Eastman, Sioux Indians, Eastman Eastman, Native Americans, , Indian Christian, Sioux Indian, Americans Eastman, Ghost Dance, Woods Civilization, versus modernity, tradition versus modernity, scene book, eastman’s grandmother, tradition versus, opposing views, “white world”, oral tradition, indian culture, native americans, eastman father,