Journal Posting #5. A Distinct Theme

Themes help get the author's point across; to help establish the meaning behind their art of literature. Throughout history, primarily during the establishment of America and the colonies, Indians were discriminated and forced out of their homes in order for the colonists to build up the old "New World." William Apess and Lydia Sigourney both interpret the emotions and struggles the Native Americans felt by depicting similar themes in their literature. Apess uses his christian beliefs to portray his thematic advice, in which people who are devoted to Christ's words ("Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"), do not follow or take his teachings to heart. If we are to supposed love our neighbors as we want to be loved, how are discrimination, destruction, and desolation appropriate actions towards our neighbor Natives? By having such outward views, judging based on appearance instead of heart, love is impossible to truly understand and interpret. People can only comprehend love and its affects if they are able to look past appearances and value a person's worth and significance from within. Sigourney as well depicts, with intensity and sorrow, the Native scars in her poem "Indian Names." She uses such powerful words to impact the reader and portray the mark that colonization had on the Native Americans. Ending with the upmost meaningful comment, "Your mountains build their monument, Though ye destroy their dust," Sigourney poetically illustrates the quick disappearance of the people themselves, though their influential impact and significance to America are permanently left on the lands. Throughout both Apess and Sigourney's literature, they establish a theme so significant; that people can disrupt, destroy, and demean others, but the victim's past will always leave a memorable impact. Although there was discrimination towards the colonist's neighbors, the Native Americans' impact towards the foundations of America have and will always be recognized in this country.