frontispiece from Apess' book Native of the Forest, 1831, from wikipedia
William Apess' impassioned "An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man," published in 1833, three years after the Indian Removal Act was passed by the United States Government. This act effectively removed most Native Americans living East of the Mississippi to designated lands West of the Mississippi.
Let's explore Apess writing in terms of his APPM (audience, purpose, persona, and message). Let's also read his work in the context of the Removal Act. Is Apess' argument effective? What does history tell us about this moment in time and its long-term ramifications for American culture?
No comments:
Post a Comment