"The evil spirit laughed within me when the white flag dropped out of sight, and the hands which furled it hung limp in defeat" (p. 438).
Zitkala-Sa's experience into succumbing to the "American Dream" may seem like a triumphant success as she grew into the American culture. Learning English, gaining a diploma and further expanding her education by willingly choosing college over returning to her home in the plains, Zitkala-Sa's story merely depicts her accomplishment of the American dream. However, looking closer and more intellectually within her text, discrete marks of solitude, despair and regret are discovered as she earns for her previous life before the culture shock she received. Although she laughed after winning against those who ridiculed her race with a white flag, her "evil spirit" took control of her. Knowingly she knew this new attitude and vengefulness came from the American culture. The pleasure she gains from watching these people hang their flag, "limp in defeat" depicts too much the views of Americans who gain similar pleasure in succeeding or winning. America is based on success and overcoming the unthinkable. Zitkala-Sa did just that within the culture as well. She overcame the unthinkable within her Native society and abandoned her mother and home life for education and prosperity. Furthermore, she overcame the discrimination from these people, yet her evil spirit filled her with satisfaction as the defeated them. With thoughts of regret and remorse towards leaving her home town, Zitkala-Sa truly accomplished the "American Dream," working harder for success and triumph rather than embracing the love and support from family.
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