Theme of the Story Chief Seattle’s Speech
In his speech of 1854, Chief Seattle brings to us an emotional attachment of tribal people with their land. He says that every part of the native land is sacred for his tribal people. For them it is the land which has nourished their tribe and made them what they are. Their land is not just a piece of earth but a symbol of their culture and memories. It is rich with the blood of their ancestors. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy events in days long vanished. Even the rocks that seem dumb stir with the memories of natives.
Through his speech, Chief Seattle brings to us the supremacy of the white colonisers. It is clear from Chief Seattle’s speech that the White are superior in terms of their martial strength and therefore Chief Seattle and his people have no way to stop them from taking away their land. He says that the Whites are willing to allow them enough land to live comfortably which is symbolic of their master-slave relationship. The Chief complains that the White people have never shown the respect the tribal people deserve. They are now reduced to a lean race and on the verge of extinction. So, Chief Seattle makes a condition that he can accept the White Chiefs offer only if the natives’ land rights are respected and they are given privilege to visit the tombs of ancestors.
Throughout Chief Seattle’s speech, the White’s belief and way of living seems to clash with that of the native American. Their difference in skin colour is emphasised again and again. The European imperial masters are referred to as White Chief, Big Chief or pale face children, whereas the natives are referred to as Red man or Red children. The differences in their cultural and religious identities is the primary source of conflict between them. To Seattle, Whites and the native Americans are like day and night that can not live together.
In his speech, Chief Seattle says about the existence beyond the usual limits. He says that there will be a time when his race, i.e., the Red Indians will not longer exist on earth and would become a myth among the White men, but their presence will be felt everywhere on their land. The White settlers will not be alone in the field, the store, the shop, upon the highway, or in the silence of the pathless woods. It is because the tribal people love the places they live in and come back to wander around the places they loved even after their death. He speaks about their belief that the spirits of the dead men don’t leave their familiar places and their own people.
In his speech, Chief Seattle also refers the tribal people’s respect and love for their land, environment and nature around them. In his speech, he emphasises how we need to think differently about nature and its resources. In the process of pursuing materialistic progress, man loses the touch with nature and starts feeling that he rules over nature. Chief Seattle reminds in his speech, that it is not that man can rule over nature, moreover, it is important to realise that he is part of nature and it is his duty to respect every aspect of nature. He says that the land is not a piece of geographical area but is the ground rich with the blood of his ancestors. Moreover, the world with its valleys, its rivers, its magnificent mountains, is alive and precious. The natural resources which have been bestowed to the man, should be used carefully remembering the needs of coming generation.
Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers