Neither Wolf Nor Dog By Kent Nerburn - 872 Words

â€Å"†Here,† he said. â€Å"Give me your hand. We are brothers. You are my son. I pass to you my vision, even though I cannot pass to you my knowledge. There lies in the ground not far from here one who truly was my son. He could not bear the pain of knowing two truths. And so I give my vision to you who knows one one. Perhaps it will be easier to bear. Perhaps it will be easier to share.†Ã¢â‚¬  Throughout the book Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn, the author travels a long way from his home to visit the reservation of a Native American elder named Dan. Nerburn agrees to write a book for Dan that will attempt to convey some aspects of American Indian life and truth in contrast to false images displayed in pop culture. This passage contributes to the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"In a few sentences I had discovered more about Dan than I had learned in being around him for several months. It made me realize how closed-mouthed he had been†(237). Al though Nerburn and Dan are complete strangers at first, Dan has an understanding of Nerburn because of his ability to observe him. While Nerburn doesn’t learn much about Dan unless it is said. Nerburn’s understanding of Dan doesn’t start forming until later in the book because of how he likes to keep the upper hand, but when Nerburn learned more about Dan from his granddaughter, he began to develop a whole new understanding of Dan. The passage relates to the character development of Dan and Nerburn because by the end of their journey, they have a new understanding of each other, and an everlasting bond. Once Nerburn learns to observe Dan, he begins to understand him deeper. For example, when Nerburn and Dan get into a heated discussion about Indian children, Nerburn is able to observe Dan. â€Å"This conversation was too loaded. I wanted out of it. But Dan was anxious for more. He was obviously pleased with my admissions†(260). Nerburn realizes that by observing like Dan, he can keep the upper hand like Dan does. Additionally, now that Nerburn and Dan are able to understand each other better, they develop a stronger connection and start thinking alike. For example, while Nerburn and Dan visiting wounded knee, Dan says â€Å"You have spoken well. Your words could have been my words. I, too amShow MoreRelatedNative Americans and the Issue of Alcoholism Essay1673 Words   |  7 Pagesfilms depict Indians in a violent or stereotypical way, suggesting that all Indians are afflicted with drug and alcohol problems† (par. 3). This stereotype has gone as far as to have people believe that Indians are either wise old men, or drunks (Nerburn pg. 185). Scientific study also is affected by these stereotype and leads to biased results. Recent studies were found to have false results about the percentage of Native American alcoholics from two reservations. Even though the results of the newRead MoreSummary Of Niebuhrs Moral Man And Immoral Society1375 Words   |  6 Pageshis argument that the economic standing of a group determines their ethical and social outlook. His argument that a group formed from similar economic conditions will share similar perspectives of society is supported by the observations by Gilkey, Nerburn, Plato and Kotlowitz. In chapter 5, Niebuhr explains how dominant groups characterize their morals, stating â€Å"[t]he moral attitudes of dominant and privileged groups are characterized by universal self-deception and hypocrisy† (Niebuhr 117). DominantRead MoreThe Ghost Dance: Intention vs. Result800 Words   |  4 PagesJohansen, Bruce E., Pritzker, Barrym. Ed. Encyclopedia of American Indian History. Vol I. Santa Barbara: ABC.CLIO Inc, 2005. Print. â€Å"Native American Legends.† The Ghost Dance- A Promise of Fulfillment. 2003-Present. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. Nerburn, Kent. Neither Wolf Nor Dog. Novato: New World Library, 1994. Print. Richardson, Heather Cox. Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre. New York: Basic Books. 2010. Print. â€Å"The Tragedy of Wounded Knee (The Ghost Dance).† YouTube. YouTube