I know that this blog post is late, but I assure you this is an easy post. Hopefully you have finished reading Black Elk Speaks as the essay is due on Monday. This week's blog is to write an outline of your final essay. Include at least one quote from the text for each major point you make in the essay. In other words if you are going to speak about the theme find a quote that proves what you are trying to say about theme.
Check out the blog during the first week of each month for additional resources to prepare for the exam.
Introduction Paragraph:
ReplyDeleteOpening Sentences
Thesis: In Black Elk Speaks, Neihardt uses literary techniques in order to enhance the story of Black Elk.
Forecast Sentence: Neihardt uses the literary techniques of setting, conflict, and symbolism to give the reader a better understanding of Black Elk’s story.
1st Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence about Setting
Quote: “quit thinking about [his] vision all the time “(Neihardt 40)
Quote: “a big shining wagon” and “many other shining wagons came too” (Neihardt 170).
Anchor Sentence
2nd Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence about Conflict
Quote: “were going to have to fight from then on” and “keep [their] country” (Neihardt 70).
Quote: “it is hard to follow one great vision in this world of darkness and of many changing shadows” (Neihardt 192).
Anchor Sentence
3rd Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence about Symbolism
Quote: “the sacred hoop of [his] people was one of many hoops that made one circle” (Neihardt 33).
Quote: “only [his] sacred bow” and “did not really want to kill anybody” (Neihardt 203).
Anchor Sentence
Conclusion:
Summary of the Body Paragraphs
Restate Thesis
Concluding Thoughts
Opening Paragraph:
ReplyDeleteIntro Sentences
Thesis/Forcast - In Black Elk Speaks, John Niehardt uses several literary elements including symbolism, theme and character portrayal to help the reader visualize the major events that occurred throughout Black Elk's Life and illuminate their significance.
Body Paragraph 1: Symbolism
Opening Sentence
"Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round" (Niehardt Location 2182)
"They had forgotten that the earth was their mother" (Niehardt Location 2408)
Closing Sentence
Body Paragraph 2: Theme
Opening Sentence
"I could see that the Wasichus did not care for each other the way our people did before the nation’s hoop was broken. They would take everything from each other if they could, and so there were some who had more of everything than they could use, while crowds of people had nothing at all and maybe were starving." (Niehardt Location 2407)
Closing Sentence
Body Paragraph 3: Character Portrayal
Opening Sentence
"We are prisoners of war while we are waiting here. But there is another world" (Niehardt Location 2197)
Closing Sentence
Conclusion:
Restate Thesis/Body Paragraphs
Final Thoughts
Introduction:
ReplyDeleteThesis: . In this book, Black Elk witnessed the atrocities when the white men came and took over his country in the late 1800s.
Forecast: This statement could be backed up with literary devices used in this book such as the setting, conflict, and Black Elk’s character portrayal.
Body Paragraph 1:
Quote #1: "Wasichus were coming and they were going to take [their] country" (Neihardt 8)
Quote #2: "little gray houses of logs, [that were] square" (Neihardt 198)
Body Paragraph 2:
Quote #1: "dead and wounded women and children and little babies were scattered along there where they had been trying to run away" (263)
Quote #2: "they were traveling the black road, everybody for himself and with the little rules of his own" (219)
Body Paragraph 3:
Quote #1: "[he] was not sorry at all. [He] was a happy boy" (131)
Quote #2: "[he] wanted revenge; [he] wanted to kill" (270)
Conclusion:
Summary of the Body Paragraphs
Restate Thesis
Concluding Thoughts
Introduction
ReplyDeleteThesis: how literary elements show a different way of life compared to modern-day American living.
Forecast: symbolism, conflict, and theme
Symbolism
Red-color
Quote: “...a sacred man who was painted red all over his body...” (Neihardt 30).
Sun dance
Theme
We should be thankful for what God gives us
Quote: “Every little thing is sent for something, and in that thing there should be happiness and the power to make happy” (Neihardt 153).
Sometimes what we see and even reality can alter our true perceptions about life
Quote: “ Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking” (Neihardt 9).
Conflict
man vs. society: Indians vs. whites (Wasichus)
Quote: “Also the Wasichus had made a treaty with Red Cloud (1868) that said it would be ours as long as grass should grow and water flow. Later I learned too that Pahuska had found there much of the yellow metal that makes the Wasichus crazy; and that is what made the bad trouble, just as it did before, when the hundred were rubbed out” (Neihardt 62).
man vs. nature
Quote: “There were many blizzards, game was hard to find, and afterwhile the papa (dried meat) that we had made in the summer was all eaten. It looked as though we might starve to death if we did not find some game soon, and everybody was downhearted” (Neihardt 118).
Conclusion
restate thesis
summarize main points
Black Elk Speaks Essay Outline:
ReplyDeleteThesis: In his recount of Elk’s story, Neihardt illustrates the struggles of Native Americans of the late 19th century and how they inspired them to unite as a people in order to overcome in their hardships. Neihardt does this with the usage of the novel’s setting, portrayal of characters, and its main theme.
I. Setting
A. Highly influences the thought process of those of Elk’s story and contributed to the struggles of Native Americans at the time. (Chapter 2; pg. 8)
B. The setting of the Sioux’s homeland stirred up pride within Elk’s community. (Chapter 22; pg. 195)
II. Character Portrayal
A. Elk is portrayed as a messiah that literally and figuratively brings life to his loved ones despite his sadness. (Chapter 21; pg. 186)
B. Characters such as Crazy Horse are protryaed as strong, wise men that fight to protect their loved ones as well as the many creatures of the earth. (Chapter 2; pg.11)
III. A. Themes include the interpretation of the social ladder and how it affects those that follow its ways.
B. Listening to the message of dreams.