Is it a Curse or a Blessing? Black Elk’s Attitude towards his Vision in Neihardt Black Elk Speaks

Authors

  • Masha'il Al-Juaid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24113/ijohmn.v9i2.266

Abstract

This paper is a detailed analysis of Black Elk’s great vision in Black Elk Speaks written and documented by John G. Neihardt. It detects Black Elk’s possible intentions behind disclosing his full vision to Neihardt for the first time. This paper tracks the sequence of events and developments changing accordingly with the vision’s progression. It discerns Black Elk’s altering perspective on the vision from resisting it to utilizing it to enlighten people. In addition, this paper lists the burdens that come with the vision and shows how they effected Black Elk mentally and physically. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the vision reflects many of the Native American cultural aspects such as associating each one of the four main directions with a specific colour. It also detects the vision’s elements similarity to ones from other foreign cultures which resulted in questioning the vision’s authenticity such as the Mandala and wheeled carts. Finally, the paper examines doubting critiques and interpretations made by critics and thinkers on the truth behind the vision.             

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Author Biography

Masha'il Al-Juaid

Lecturer

Al-Baha University

Saudi Arabia

References

Holler, Clyde."Lakota Religion and Tragedy: The Theology of Black Elk Speaks. "Journal of the American Academy of Religion 52.1(1984): 19-45.

Johnston M., Charles. "The Symbology of Erect Being." The Creative Imperative: Human Growth and Planetary Evolution. Charles M. Johnston, 1986. 108-112.

Kubinek, Jan. "Black Elk and Indigenous Spirituality." Diss. U of Masaryk, 2009.

Prenatt, Diana. Cliff Notes on Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004. 26-30. Google Book Search. Web. 20 March 2014.

Sanchez, Mark. "Black Elk Speaks." nieveroja.colostate.edu. Dept. of English, U of Colorado state. Web. 22 March 2014.

Thomas, James William. "Making Room for Dreams." The Shaman in the Disco and Other Dreams of Masculinity Men, Isolation, and Intimacy: A Theory of Male Self-Alienation. Diss. Washington State U,2000. 22-32.

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Published

28-04-2023

How to Cite

Al-Juaid, M. (2023). Is it a Curse or a Blessing? Black Elk’s Attitude towards his Vision in Neihardt Black Elk Speaks. International Journal Online of Humanities, 9(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.24113/ijohmn.v9i2.266

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Articles