In class today, I was intrigued by the discussion of the red apples and wanted to jump off of what they symbolized. One could further Dan’s Biblical metaphor on the Forbidden Fruit from the garden, which could be represented by taking the apple and entering into white civilization. To the Native Americans, the intrigue of white society and the foresight of its encroachment on their lives were impetuses to wearily enter into white education to survive in their changing world. Specifically for Zitakala-Sa, the red apples and iron horse ride promised by the missionaries drew her, and by accepting these 'Forbidden Fruit’ she lost the symbolic innocence of Native American society and nature to enter into the vices of white society.
Another symbolic way of viewing the red apple is to completely throw out Biblical references and see it as a symbol of American values and Americana culture. America represents the land of the free and a beacon of light for those oppressed by religious, political and social persecution. New York City, the main immigrant gateway into the United States via Ellis Island, is known as the 'Big Apple' and is seen to symbolize the land of opportunity. A red apple conjures up images of good old American apple pie, New England apple picking in the fall and other idealized images of white Americana culture.
It is ironic, then, that the red apple that so intrigued Zitakala-Sa to symbolize the opportunity of white education actually brought her into a system that took away her freedom and identity to mold her into the perfect white American. The ideals and tolerance that the American government was founded upon did not extend to Native Americans at that time. So, what was the true symbolism of the red apple in this situation? With the restricted life and displacement from their native culture, were Native Americans at that time actually being educated, or just really degraded by white culture?
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4 comments:
I think the two symbolic views you present are very interesting. Considering what ends up happening in the text, I would be more inclined to view the apple as the forbidden fruit. Similar to Eve in the Christian tradition, Zitakala-Sa's desire for more knowledge and education that the white's offered ultimately led to her fall from happiness.
"Never pluck a single plum from this bursh, my child....While he lived, he was so fond of playing the game of striped plum seeds that, at his death, his set of plum seeds were buried in his hands" (32). Like God telling Adam and Eve not to touch the Fruit, her mother rebukes her. Later on, her mother tells her not to go to the land of Apples either. I think it would be interesting to examine fruit throughout the entire text; I really like your fruit imagery with the Apple and America. It makes me wonder what fruit might symbolize in other literature.
It is interesting to note that after becoming a teacher, Zitkala-Sa went "West to gather Indian pupils for the school" (85). Her education changed her from being persuaded by others to being the persuader herself. After taking a bite of the Fruit, Eve persuades Adam to do it also.
If you look at the apple as a view of American culture then you may connect it to the "American dream". The idea that anyone can come to this country and become rich, powerful, and successful. What no one asks is what about the people that were already in this country? Zitkala-Sa had access to education, the gateway of the American dream, but it only hindered her psychological growth. This apple is a symbol of both what is forbidden, and what is accessible.
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