In Benjamin Franklin\'s \"Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America,\" wha
ID: 3443313 • Letter: I
Question
In Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America," what is Franklin's main message? How does the story show a 'contact zone' between the two cultures? How is irony used in this story?
In Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America," what is Franklin's main message? How does the story show a 'contact zone' between the two cultures? How is irony used in this story?
In Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America," what is Franklin's main message? How does the story show a 'contact zone' between the two cultures? How is irony used in this story?
Explanation / Answer
Benjamin Franklin's "Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America" is one of the three essays he wrote, “Remarks concerning the Savages of North America” and “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America”. His third essay was not published because of its personal note that he wrote to his daughter. Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America is a sarcastic view of the word civilisation as the Western World knew it. He brings out the extraordinary, disciplined and natural life of the American Indians comparing it to the contemporary American Society.
He explains that the Indians have three divisions among the men, hunters who provide food for the community, soldiers who protect their land and people and finally counsellors who advise others on all the matters. One has to go through all the first two levels before one could become a counsellor.
The education that we talk in the modern society is a rubbish one which weakens people according to the Indians. This was humourosly brought from a conversation between the officials and six Indian nations. When the government officials asked the elders to send their youngster to study in their educational institutions, the elders refused the answer by recalling few youngster who became weak and couldn't survive in their habitats because they were afraid of hunting, they forgot their language and they became sick as they were not able to cope up with the hot and cold climates. They also requested the government officials that if they send their youngsters, Indians would take good care of them and make them real 'men'.
Indian village counsellors sit in front of the gathering while the soldiers next to them, the hunters behind the soldiers, the women and children behind the hunters. Women take notes of everything on their mind and when they go back home they share these information to the children thus acting as the record keepers. In modern official gatherings there are lots of arguments, indiscipline and fighting and if the note taker didn't get something to minute down, the speech will be disturbed.
Another interesting thing in the essay is how the Christian world tried to change the mindset of the people with Adam and Eve's apple story and how he was given a different explanation about the origin of apple trees in the tribal land. The preachers initially thought that just because they were patiently listening meant that the Indians were accepting whatever they were telling them but in reality, it's not true, they listen out of respect which the author says is a highest quality that is missing in the modern society.
In short, the Indians live a healthy, leisurely life while their counterparts in the cities and settlements live a false and incomplete life that is away from the natural surroundings and skills. The essay is very sarcastic and ironic one.