These introductory words, printed in the appendix of the novel itself, give a very clear and critical insight into the topic of Black Elk Speaks by author John G. Neihardt. Largely considered to be an autobiographical narration, it has become one of the most famous books dealing with the story of individuals of Native American origin. Following the tradition of so-called „as-told-to‟ stories (Georgi-Findlay 1997, 385), it is the story of the Lakota holy man Black Elk, who told it to the author John G. Neihardt who transcribed it and wrote it down. The story, and its categorization as autobiographical, claims authenticity, and was widely regarded to be an accurate report of Native American life among the tribe of the Oglala Lakota and their culture. Even today, the book is still considered to be one of the first works of Native American literature. (As a matter of fact, the book is listed in the chapter “Indianerliteratur” (Native American Literature) in Hubert Zapf‟s “Amerikanische Literaturgeschichte”.) Even though it was written down and published by a person of Euro-American background, the story itself is considered to be uniquely Native American in content. But how authentic is the story, how much of what Neihardt wrote down was fact, and what was actually his own interpretation or even literary freedom that he took to serve certain stereotypes and make the story more appealing for the audience which it was aimed at?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Lost in Transcription: The Different Layers of Black Elk Speaks
3. ‘Reality’ and Stereotypes
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper critically examines the authenticity of the autobiographical narrative "Black Elk Speaks" by John G. Neihardt. By comparing the published text with original transcriptions, the research investigates how Neihardt constructed a fictionalized, stereotypical voice for the Lakota holy man Black Elk, ultimately questioning the work's classification as genuine Native American literature.
- Analysis of the editorial process and the narrative layers within "Black Elk Speaks".
- Comparison between original interview transcriptions and the published book.
- Deconstruction of stereotypical representations of Native American culture.
- Evaluation of the text as an "autobiography" versus a fictional construct.
- Exploration of the author's intent regarding Euro-American audience expectations.
Excerpt from the Book
Lost in Transcription: The Different Layers of Black Elk Speaks
To understand the different layers of speech that were at work during the creation of the book, it is necessary to go back and look at its history and the people who were involved. Especially the person of Black Elk is of utmost importance in this context, because it is only if one knows the actual story of his life, that it can be seen how much has been altered (by omission or otherwise) in his autobiography.
Black Elk was born in 1863 at the Little Powder River in the area which is today Wyoming. He was a famous holy man of the tribe of the Oglala Lakota, which is a branch of the Sioux tribe and participated in various historical events, such as the Battle of Little Big Horn (which is also known as Custer’s Last Stand) in 1876. In addition, he was injured in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, which is today considered to mark the end of the battles between Native American tribes and Americans throughout the country. For a long time he traveled Europe, participating in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, and even performed with that show in front of the English queen. Through that, he probably saw more of the world than most of the Americans of non-native origin ever did. These previously named stages of his life are all described in the book as well.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the significance of "Black Elk Speaks" and outlines the paper's research question regarding the authenticity of the text and the extent of editorial manipulation.
2. Lost in Transcription: The Different Layers of Black Elk Speaks: This section analyzes the editorial history of the book, identifying how the contributions of the translator, the transcriber, and John G. Neihardt shaped the narrative and arguably invented a "constructed" voice for Black Elk.
3. ‘Reality’ and Stereotypes: This chapter focuses on how Neihardt utilized specific literary devices and generalizations to align the narrative with Euro-American stereotypes, thereby distancing the text from actual historical and cultural realities.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that the book should be viewed as a fictional construct rather than an authentic autobiography, serving to uphold Euro-American preconceptions about Native American identity.
Keywords
Black Elk Speaks, John G. Neihardt, Autobiography, Authenticity, Native American Literature, Stereotypes, Oglala Lakota, Cultural Construction, Narrative Voice, Transcription, Sioux, Colonialism, Representation, Historiography, Fiction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental premise of this paper?
The paper argues that "Black Elk Speaks" is not a purely authentic autobiography but a highly curated and fictionalized construct created by author John G. Neihardt to satisfy Euro-American expectations.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the impact of editorial intervention, the authenticity of "as-told-to" narratives, the creation of cultural stereotypes, and the distinction between historical fact and literary fiction.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to determine the extent to which the book can be classified as authentic Native American literature versus a literary work written by a Euro-American author using historical material.
Which methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a comparative analysis, contrasting the published version of "Black Elk Speaks" with the original interview transcriptions provided by Raymond DeMallie.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the history of the text's creation, the role of multiple narrators and translators, the specific linguistic changes made by Neihardt, and the stereotypical depictions of Native American life.
What characterizes the keywords of this work?
The keywords highlight the intersection of literary theory, Native American history, and the politics of representation in autobiographical narratives.
Why is the "Fetterman Fight" example significant in the text?
It serves as a clear example of Neihardt replacing Black Elk’s neutral language with "authentic-sounding" Native American designations to reinforce a constructed cultural identity.
How does the author evaluate the "vision" of Black Elk?
The author suggests the vision is presented in a way that aligns with Euro-American myths of mystical Native American powers, further separating the narrative from the reality of the individual's life.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Katharina Reese (Autor:in), 2009, “Black Elk speaks, doesn't he?” - Facts and Fiction of an Autobiography, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/163262
