Black Elk Finds a Watch

One unique aspect of the book Black Elk Speaks, is Black Elk's nonchalant attitude about death at a young age. I don't find myself seeing a whole lot of distraught by Black Elk over these many war deaths of either the Oglala Sioux or the Wasichus. In fact, Black Elk is very proud of his first scalp and decides to show it off to his mother. I have recognized that throughout the book, Oglala Sioux and other Native Americans have a overwhelming sense of pride for their culture. They are proud of the things that they must do, even if it means murdering a Wasichu. They've been taught by elder members of the tribe to be prideful in their accomplishments.

In spite of the brutality of these wars between the Wasichus and the Oglala Sioux, Black Elk finds beauty. In chapter 9, Black Elk is removing a dying man's coat when a Wasichu solider pushed him away and took the coat instead. Black Elk spots something interesting hanging from the solider's belt and pulls it out. It's bright, yellow, round and ticks. Black Elk keeps the object around his neck to wear as jewelry. He notes in this passage that he later finds out what "it was and how to make it tick again."

This paragraph makes me realize just how isolated the Native American tribes truly were. They have absolutely no technology, and must utilize everything from the earth itself. To come across many of these new inventions for the first time must have been overwhelming for the Oglala Sioux, but apparently not enticing. It's funny how technology can seem only interesting but still useless to people such as Black Elk who rely so deeply on Mother Nature.