TOPIC: SYMBOLS OF THE NATION. AMERICAN OLD WEST
Age group. Adult (15 and older).
Level. Intermediate and above.
Time required. Up to 4 hours ( Internet research, screening and writing assignments are not included).
This material can be used for teaching general English as well as Cultural Studies.
PRE-VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Task 1. Dances With Wolves," a three-hour epic about the frontier West in1860s.
Visit University of Wisconsin American History website to find out about American West.
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_preamble.htm
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_02.htm
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_03.htm
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_04.htm
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_05.htm
http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/weblect/lec03/03_06.htm
Be ready to discuss the questions in class.
- What is American West geographically? Can you name the western states of the USA?
- What is the “Old West” phenomenon? When did start and finish?
- What important events in the history of the USA happened during its time?
- What images are usually associated with the “Old West”? Where does this imagery come from?
- Who is Frederick Jackson Turner? What did he write in his article "The Significance of the Frontier in American History"?
- How did Turner explain American development? What is his definition of the “frontier”? What is its effect in American history?
- What is “Frontier Strip”? Can you find it on the map?
- Do you think that there is some connection between geographical conditions people live in and the way they learn to act, social development itself? What qualities could the settlers develop in response to geography? Give your reasoning.
- Why is the image of the cowboy formed by popular culture so strong? How does it differ from reality?
- Do you agree that civilization inevitably subordinates the individual? Who were the victims of expansion and progress in the Wild West?
- What were the results of “peace policy”? How were the original inhabitants of the country treated?
- Is the American Old West a significant national symbol? Give your reasoning.
You can also visit Wikipedia to find the answers to the questions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Strip
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Wild_West
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier
SCREENING DANCES WITH WOLVES. WHILE-VIEWING ACTIVITIES.
Task 2. As you watch the movie, find the answers to the following questions.
- How is John Dunbar elevated to the status of a living hero?
- What is the main character’s military rank?
- Why does Dunbar request reassignment to the West?
- What does he discover when he arrives at Fort Sedgewick (his post)?
- What kind of notes does Dunbar make in his journal?
- Who is Two Socks and what is his role in the story?
- Why is Dunbar eager to enter into the life of the Sioux? How does John develop relationship with the Indians? How do they overcome mutual distrust?
- How are the Indians depicted in the movie? What are the essentials of the tribe life?
- Why does Dunbar want to join his Sioux friends in a war party against the Pawnees?
- What is Stands With a Fist life story? Why was she raised by the Sioux?
- Why is Dunbar given the name Dances with Wolves by his new friends? What other Sioux names from the film can you remember?
- What does John go back to Fort Sedgewick for? What has changed there?
- How is he met by the Union soldiers? What do you think is the reason for that?
- Why does John, being captured, refuse to speak English to American soldiers?
- Why does Dances with Wolves decide to leave the tribe in winter? How do the Sioux take the news?
- What is the future of the Sioux people according to the movie?
Task 3. Note who in the movie said it and in connection with what.
- With Ten Bears, it was always more than a while. There was purpose in everything he did, and I knew he wanted me to stay. But I was sure of myself. I would be an excuse, and that's all the Army would need to find this place. I pushed him as far as I could to move the camp. But in the end, he only smiled and talked of simple pleasures. He reminded me that at his age, a good fire was better than anything. Ten Bears was an extraordinary man.
- I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail and it is good to see.
- We will shoot some arrows into the white man. If he truly has medicine, he will not be hurt. If he has no medicine, he will be dead.
- My place is with you. I go where you go.
- -You wish to see the frontier?
-Yes sir, before it's gone. - If it wasn't for my companion, I believe I'd be having the time of my life.
- You are the only white man I have ever known. I have thought about you a lot. More than you think. And I understand your concern. But I think you are wrong. The white man the soldiers are looking for no longer exists. Now there is only a Sioux named Dances With Wolves.
- The white men who wore this came around the time of my grandfather's grandfather. Eventually we drove them out. Then the Mexicans came. But they do not come here any more. In my own time, the Texans. They have been like all the others. They take without asking. But I think you are right. I think they will keep coming. When I think of that, I look at this helmet. I don't know if we are ready for these people. Our country is all that we have, and we will fight to keep it.
- Dances With Wolves. Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?
POST-VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Task 4. Read an extract from the plot summary. It contains some factual mistakes. Correct the mistakes and write your own summary for Dances with Wolves.
The time is 1863, during the War of Independence. After his heroic action in a battle, Major John Dumb Bear, a Union officer, asks for a new post in the West, saying he wants to see the buffalo before they disappear. When, finally, he arrives at his post, Fort Sedgewick, he discovers an abandoned Indian camp.
There in the wilderness John gets settled and finds a journal in which he reports the events of his childhood. One day a wolf appears. The soldier names his new companion White Fang for the whiteness of his teeth. Then some Indians come. John is a bit scared of them and the world they represent. However, he overcomes his doubts and enters into the life of the Iroquois tribe. He teaches them the English language and is greeted with open smiles and looks of appreciation.
In the tribe there is a beautiful young white woman, originally named Catherine but now called Stands in the Mist.
John falls in love with her, becomes a respected member of the tribe with his own Sioux name ("Kicking Bird"), and is able to forget the life he left behind.
As used to be said, he goes native and sheds his white-man's ways.
Task 5. Say it in your own words, paying attention to the italicized parts.
- In trying to produce my own death, I was elevated to the status of a living hero.
- The post is in exceedingly poor condition, and I have assigned myself clean-up duty beginning tomorrow.
- The bloody slaughter continues in the east.
- I deduced that you're an Indian fighter.
- Supplies are abundant, and the country is everything I dreamed it would be.
- I would conclude he's a man of weight among his people.
- I think this is a person with which treaties might be struck.
- There's been an exciting breakthrough with the Indians.
- Their efficiency and the speed at which they moved was enough to impress any military commander.
- If you'll guide us to these camps and interpret, your conduct will be re-evaluated.
- Our country is all that we have, and we will fight to keep it.
- I am speaking in half-truths.
- Tomorrow we will strike the village...
- I'll catch up.
- You turned Injun, didn't you?
Task 6. Choose to fill in the gaps in the following sentences.
My presence here………. have been reported by now.
- shall
- must
- will
He won't eat from my hand, but he never fails to alert me when………. is wrong.
- anything
- nothing
- something
Do not know how many more are……….the vicinity…
- in
- at
- on
Nothing I've been………. about these people is correct.
- said
- told
- informed
The field was proof enough that it was a people without value and without soul, with no……….for Sioux rights.
- attention
- concern
- regard
………., I have become a celebrity.
- in short
- at short notice
- in the short run
The wagon tracks leading the way left……….doubt, and my heart sank, as I knew it could only be white hunters.
- little
- a little
- few
- a few
But I know Kicking Bird is……….with me.
- frustrated
- frustrating
Your status as a traitor might………. should you choose to cooperate with the United States Army.
- improve
- have improved
- be improving
And ……….word that came to mind was harmony.
- the only
- an only
- only
White men are……….rifles.
- surely to have
- sure have
- sure to have
I can……….of the clues left me here.
- make no sense
- make no senses
- make any sense
POST-VIEWING ACTIVITIES
Film Discussion
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Write (250-300 words) about a phenomenon in the history of USA and Russia which has played a significant role in the country’s development and become its national symbol.
APPENDIX AND KEYS
USA MAP
Task 3.
- John Dunbar: With Ten Bears, it was always more than a while. There was purpose in everything he did, and I knew he wanted me to stay. But I was sure of myself. I would be an excuse, and that's all the Army would need to find this place. I pushed him as far as I could to move the camp. But in the end, he only smiled and talked of simple pleasures. He reminded me that at his age, a good fire was better than anything. Ten Bears was an extraordinary man.
- Kicking Bird: I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail and it is good to see.
- Wind in His Hair: We will shoot some arrows into the white man. If he truly has medicine, he will not be hurt. If he has no medicine, he will be dead.
- Stands With a Fist: My place is with you. I go where you go.
- Major Frambough: -You wish to see the frontier?
- John Dunbar: -Yes sir, before it's gone.
- John Dunbar (writing in his diary): If it wasn't for my companion, I believe I'd be having the time of my life.
- Ten Bears: You are the only white man I have ever known. I have thought about you a lot. More than you think. And I understand your concern. But I think you are wrong. The white man the soldiers are looking for no longer exists. Now there is only a Sioux named Dances With Wolves.
- Ten Bears (in Lakota): The white men who wore this came around the time of my grandfather's grandfather. Eventually we drove them out. Then the Mexicans came. But they do not come here any more. In my own time, the Texans. They have been like all the others. They take without asking. But I think you are right. I think they will keep coming. When I think of that, I look at this helmet. I don't know if we are ready for these people. Our country is all that we have, and we will fight to keep it.
- Wind in His Hair: Dances With Wolves. Do you see that I am your friend? Can you see that you will always be my friend?
Task 4.
The time is 1863, during the Civil War. After his heroic action in a battle, Lt. John Dunbar, a Union officer, asks for a new post in the West, saying he wants to see the frontier before it disappears. When, finally, he arrives at his post, Fort Sedgewick, he discovers the place abandoned.
There in the wilderness John gets settled and starts a journal in which he reports the events of his daily life. One day a wolf appears. The soldier names his new companion Two Socks for the whiteness of his paws.
Then some Indians come. John is a bit scared of them and the world they represent. However, he overcomes his doubts and enters into the life of the Sioux tribe. He learns their language and is greeted with open smiles and looks of appreciation.
In the tribe there is a beautiful young white woman, originally named Catherine but now called Stands with the Fist.
John falls in love with her, becomes a respected member of the tribe with his own Sioux name ("Dances With Wolves"), and is able to forget the life he left behind.
As used to be said, he goes native and sheds his white-man's ways.
Task 6.
My presence here must have been reported by now.
He won't eat from my hand, but he never fails to alert me when something is wrong.
Do not know how many more are in the vicinity…
Nothing I've been told about these people is correct.
The field was proof enough that it was a people without value and without soul, with no concern for Sioux rights.
In short, I have become a celebrity.
The wagon tracks leading the way left little doubt, and my heart sank, as I knew it could only be white hunters.
But I know Kicking Bird is frustrated with me.
Your status as a traitor might improve should you choose to cooperate with the United States Army.
And the only word that came to mind was harmony.
White men are sure to have rifles.
I can make no sense of the clues left me here.