Sunday, 5 February 2017

Representation of American Indians in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie




Presentation Structure:
1.     Introduction: Cowboys vs Indians
2.     Representation of American Indians in Film and Literature: Stereotypes
3.     Representation of American Indians in Film and Literature: Historical Context
4.     Case Study: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie (1935)

This presentation aims to discuss the representation of American Indians in American Literature and Film. Firstly we will look at the ‘social, ideological and political construction’ (Kilpatrick: Celluloid Indians: Native Americans and Film, XVI) that has resulted in the way Indians are portrayed in American Film and Literature. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 1935 novel, ‘Little House on the Prairie’ will be used as a case study in which the attitudes towards American Indians will be discussed.

Introduction: Cowboy’s vs Indians:

The American Western, arguably the most popular American genre in film and literature history, characterised by larger than life heroes who protect the citizens of the West from the ‘forces of evil’ who plague the uncivilized frontier. These ‘forces of evil’ come in many forms. Mother Nature, the Government, Cattle Barons and Outlaws are examples of these classical western antagonists. Although, the most famous western antagonist is that of the ‘American Indian’, the native peoples of America who stood in the way of Westward Expansion. The Indians are usually portrayed as ‘stoic and unemotional’ (Tavare: “Hollywood Indians”) warriors who often come into battle with the cowboy heroes of the western picture. This is just one example of different stereotypes that feature in Western films and novels, and next we will continue to look at the different stereotypes and where they originate from. 

Representation of American Indians in Film and Literature: Stereotypes:

Stereotypical images of American Indians in Hollywood continue to influence public perception about this racial group’. (Nittle)

Many different American Indian stereotypes have developed overtime in American film and literature.  As a starting point,  Jay Tavare in ‘Hollywood Indians’ claims Indians are stereotypically ‘depicted as nothing more tha bronzed, half clothed savages, sporting the stereotypical double braids screaming Ayyyyaaaayayaaaaa as they got shot off their horses by the White heroes’. What Tavare’s comment suggests is that Indians, despite being multiple tribes with different practices, were often portrayed in the same way. Tavare also shows how the Indians were portrayed as being physically similar from film to film.  Furthermore, it shows how the Western was ideologically constructed around the White hero, and so Indians automatically take the role of the antagonist. 
Tavare’s comment gives us a broad overview of how Indians are stereotypically presented. Other critics have aimed to pin down these stereotypes. Firstly, Jacquelyn Kilpatrick in ‘Celluloid Indians’ states Indian stereotypes can be divided into three categories, ‘Mental, Sexual and spiritual’. Although one can relate these categories to Indian portrayals in American Film, Kilpatrick’s categories are broad, and it can be difficult to differ between a ‘Mental, Sexual and Spiritual’ stereotype. In the article, “5 Common Native American Stereotypes in Film and Television”, Nadra Kareem Nittle develops on Kilpatrick’s stereotypes, providing a more diverse and varied response to American Indian stereotypes. Kareem states that there are 5 different stereotypes including ‘beautiful maidens’, ‘stoic Indians’, ‘magical medicine men’, ‘bloodthirsty warriors’ and ‘in the wild and on the rez’ (reservation). These Stereotypes provide a more diverse look at the representations of Indians and as a result, it can be easier to relate these to Film and Literature.
This shows the diverse ways in which American Indians are portrayed on screen, but yet the majority of the stereotypes provided carry with them negative connotations to which have been actively opposed by American Indians (More on this with video). Furthermore, these Stereotypes have developed over time, and are a direct result of the history between the American Indian and White settlers.


Representation of American Indians in Film and Literature: Historical Context



As aforementioned, the stereotypes have developed around the history of European Settlement of America. Since the Plymouth Rock landing, there have been number incidents were the ‘Americans’ and the Natives have come into conflict. These conflicts, including the one pictured above, often ended in success for the United States government and so the whites naturally assumed the role of heroes, which would help later develop the representations in film and literature. Brian Young, in his article, “Why I Won’t Wear War Paint and Feathers in a Movie Again” traces the historical roots of the stereotypical representations of American Indians to 19th century Wild West shows, such as those performed by Buffalo Bill. The shows would recreate battles, such as the Wounded Knee Massacre (pictured above), which were major defeats for American Indian tribes. Furthermore, he claims these defeats translated to the screen well, he states “silver-screen tales about defeating Native American Tribes Proved to be hugely popular, so Hollywood churned them out”. Although, young concludes by stating that during the 1960s and 1970s, the stereotype began to evolve from “reactionary savage to the romantic victims of westward expansion”, which suggests Hollywood began to recognise the problems with the portrayals of the Natives.
Many American Indians remain unhappy about the stereotypes portrayed on film and literature during the last century. This video perfectly encapsulates the American Indian reaction to these stereotypes.



Case Study: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie (1935):

“The only good Indian is a dead Indian” (259)

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ (1935) is the semi-biographical, continuing narrative of Laura and her family, as they move Westward during the 19th century, in search of ‘new’ and ‘free’ land. During the time the novel was written, American was facing economic depression, known as the Great Depression’. Although during this time, film and literature provided a sense of escapism for audiences, and so the movie business especially continued to have great success. The aforementioned stereotypes of American Indians were beginning to evolve during this time and ‘Little House on the Prairie’ is an example of these developing stereotypes. Over numerous chapters, descriptions and characteristics can be related back to the aforementioned stereotypes of American Indians. Although we will focus on the chapter ‘Indians in the House’, which is when the family first come across Indians in the story. Before discussing the chapter it is worth noting that the family have already been set up as the ‘heroes’ of the novel, with ‘pa’ taking the role of the alpha-male, white, Western hero. When the Indians first arrive at the Ingalls house, they are described as ‘tall, thin, fierce-looking men’. This assertion already begins to juxtapose the differences in physicality between the Indians and the homesteaders. Throughout the chapter, the physical differences between the Indians and the Ingalls, are referenced. These differences include ‘smell’, clothing and hairstyles. These features only help to justify the Ingalls as being superior and civilized in comparison to the Indians. One key quotation describes the Indians faces as being ‘bold, fierce and terrible’ and that one ‘Indian did not move, not one muscle of his face moved’. This can be related to Tavares’s comment that Indians are presented as ‘stoic and unemotional’ and as a result lack character and depth.

American Indians throughout ‘Little House on the Prairie’ continue to be discussed in an insulting manner, with few attempts made to properly represent Native Americans in a positive manner. The chapter ‘Indians in the House’ highlights these offensive representations by juxtaposing American Indians with the Ingalls family.

Question: Although representations have somewhat improved, what advice would you give a writer/director who is planning to write or direct a novel/film with American Indian characters?


 Bibliography
Primary Sources:
Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House on The Prairie. 1935. London: Harper Collins Publisher LTD. 2004
Secondary Sources:
Kilpatrick, Jacquelyn. Celluoid Indians: Native Americans and Film. Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1999
Nittle, Nadra Kareem. “5 Common Native American Stereotypes in Film and Television”. About News, Febuary 28, 2016. <http://racerelations.about.com/od/hollywood/a/Five-Common-Native-American-Stereotypes-In-Film-And-Television.htm>
Tavare, Jay. “Hollywood Indians”. Huffington Post, July 18, 2011.  <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-tavare/native-american-actors_b_846930.html>
Young, Brian. “Why I Won’t Wear War Paint and Feathers in a Movie Again” Time, June 11, 2015. <http://time.com/3916680/native-american-hollywood-film/>
Youtube: a website featuring a variety of videos.

   

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