01: Chief Seattle’s Speech : Icse-x-english

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01: Chief Seattle’s Speech

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Qstn #4
Why would the children's children of White Man never be alone?
Ans : The Children's children of White Man would never be left alone because the souls of the departed braves, fond mothers, glad, happy-hearted maidens and even the little children of the tribal people would love those somber solitudes and greet shadowy returning spirits. When all the Red Men would have perished and become a myth, the shores would swarm with the invisible dead and the White people's children would never feel alone.

Qstn #5
What did Seattle mean by, "There is no death, only a change of worlds"?
Ans : Chief Seattle was a philosophical man who believed that death was an inevitable truth and one should not regret. In fact, it is only the change of the world. Tribes follow tribes and nations follow nations. He talked about his dead and the land that they still visited the land and would forever so the Whites should treat them kindly as the dead were not powerless according to him. He stated that there was no death, only man changed his world.

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Section : VI
Compound Questions and Answers

#1-a
Write a note on the signification of Chief Seattle's speech.

Ans :
Seattle's speech is acclaimed as a powerful appeal for the recognition of the rights of native Americans and also environmental values. Seattle criticized the white people's imperialistic attitude in demanding the land of the tribe, as though their sentiments did not matter. Apart from that, it also is a statement against reckless developments that are clearly affecting the natural environment. In fact, this speech is one of the earliest pleas that expressed great concern over the degradation of nature and ecological balance. The speech is a clear warning against the rapid progress of western civilization and the need to protect nature. And, this is why Chief Seattle's speech is regarded with such high esteem.

#1-b
Comment on the tone and language of the speech.

Ans :
The tone of Seattle's speech is polite yet sarcastic, passionate yet sorrowful, complying yet dignified. It is a speech that reveals the inner core of the man, his anguish, his helplessness and the final acceptance of the truth that for the survival of the remaining tribe, he has to give in to the demands of the Whites and persuade them to give up the land of their ancestors.
Chief Seattle uses two different tones - a passionate and a sorrowful tone along with powerful words and imagery. He wants to win the audience's heart and hopes that the people will take care of the land like he did. The speech comes alive with figurative language, imagery, especially color imagery and death imagery. The speech becomes poignant with metaphors and similes, sarcasm, comparisons and contrasts, personification, alliteration, rhetorical questions and tone shifts.

#1-c
What are the purposes of this speech?

Ans :
Chief Seattle's chief purpose is to persuade Gov. Stevens to not to cheat them off their land. He wants to convince Gov. Stevens that he and his people are educated, wise, and aware of the exploitation. Another objective is to elicit sympathy and to connect with Stevens through shared experiences of having the same government, as well as both, being leaders. He further wants to educate the governor about Seattle's culture, traditions and belief system. He does this by contrasting the two in terms of their numbers, beliefs, attitudes towards God and Nature, life after death, and concept of land ownership. His intention is also to establish himself as the leader and a force to be reckoned with. He mocks the White man subtly, using sarcasm to warn the governor and the Whites about excessive pride and arrogance.

#2-a
In what circumstances was the famous speech of Chief Seattle given? What proposal was put forward to the Red Man by the Great Chief? What would be the impact of the proposal on the Redman and in what light would the world see the White man?

Ans :
In 1854, the United States Government offered to buy two million acres of land occupied by the native people. Chief Seattle gave a powerful and eloquent speech as a reply to President Franklin Pierce. His speech is described as one of the most inspiring ones ever argued in favor of the environment and human rights.
The proposal was that the natives should surrender their land to the Whites. In return of this, the Whites would protect them from the foreign attack of the Haidas and Tsimshians. The Whites were willing to allow them enough land to live comfortably.
The impact of the proposal meant the Native Americans should leave their revered land where their ancestors were resting in eternal peace. They would lose their land which was full of memories, rife with stirring events connected with their lives. The land that they had been asked to sell was sacred for them.
The Whites were unjustly exercising authority over the Native Americans. Having a powerful army and navy, they were expecting the Red Indians to bow down to their super strength. In their arrogance, the Whites offered to allow them enough land to live comfortably. The world would see it as symbolic of master-slave relationship; sheer exploitation by imperial powers.

#2-b
How does Seattle compare Christianity and the religion of Great Spirit?

Ans :
The White men follow Christianity written by the iron finger of their God, symbolizing strict adherence to rules and principles. The God of this religion is partial and has forsaken his Red children. Seattle says that this God loves only his 'paleface' children and makes them stronger every day. So soon they will fill all the land. He does not love Red children thus they seem to be ebbing away.
Seattle says that for a Red Man, the ashes of his ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground. They love to stay in the land where their ancestors' memories are alive, whereas the Whites wander far from their ancestors' graves. The Whites once they are dead, forget their native land and never return.
The religion of the Red Man is the traditions of their ancestors-the dreams of their old men, given to
them in solemn hours of the night by the Great Spirit; and the visions of their sachems, are written in the hearts of their people.

#2-c
What is the gist and overall message of the speech? How is the order of nature referred to by the Chief? How does he hint that justice will be done at the end?

Ans :
One cannot fail to notice the overall irony reflected throughout the speech of Chief of Seattle. The speaker thanks to the friendship and goodwill shown by the White Chief and appreciates it saying, 'It's kind of him.' However, in every single word, the Chief makes it clear that it is the power of money and military strength that makes rich nations subdue the less powerful, and in the garb of friendship, they cheat the real holders of their land.
Chief Seattle is upset but at the same time, is aware that he and his men are cornered and will have to consider the proposal. But before that, he gives a few warnings and suggestions which are to be heeded by all. God, land, water and plants are close-knit family and require more respect and reverence than White men are giving. There is an order in Nature and if that balance is upset, everything will be lost. Tribe follows tribe; nation follows nation. No one is above the other. By sheer strength of the army, some may be able to conquer the others; but not for long. In the zeal to build and possess, they may lose all they have. There will come a time when they will realize that the ultimate destiny of man is the same. Some may prolong their existence; some may perish early, like the Red Indian minority. When powerful nations accept this truth, they will realise that all are brothers and have equal rights.
The Chief also makes it clear, that the tribe should be able to visit the tombs of their near and dear ones whenever they want and no restrictions should be imposed. Also, he promises that their dead would throng the shops and streets, highways and countrysides along with the living Whites; the memories of the vanished tribe will haunt their present, giving them company, and solace in solitude.
Whether the speech lost its authenticity in translation or not, what matters is that Seattle's words inspired and will continue to do so, drilling in a most compelling truth about man's relation with man and his environment.