The Soul Of The Indian : An Interpretation

ABOUT THE BOOK:- The author tries to bring out what he believes are the salient point in Native American religion the misrepresentation and misunderstanding by the “white man”. Eastman makes some good point regarding the hypocrisy of the white man’s Christianity specially arising out of the expression presented to the Indian that the American Government was Christian. As author says The Indian might in time come to recognize that the drunkard and the licentious among white men with whom he too frequently came in contact were condemned by the white man’s religion as well and must not be held to discredit it. In this book the author explain that any murderer knew that his deed would be known by the “Great mystery” and so no effort was extended by such a person to try to hide the fact of the deed consequently the action was normally freely admitted by the guilty party. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:- Charles Alexander Eastman (1858-1939) was a native American physician writer national lecturer and reformer. He began writing works exploring the changing identities of native Americans in the early 20th century. In 1902 he published “Indian Boyhood”. He followed with several books Including “Old Indian Days” and “Indian Stories Retold” His 1911 work “The Soul of the Indian” vividly depicts native spiritual and religious practices and beliefs bringing their rich cultural origin to life. His career as a novelist led him into the sphere of political and cultural activism making him an effective champion of native American rights. In 1911 Eastman was chosen to represent the American Indian at the Universal Races Congress in London. Throughout his speeches and teachings he emphasized peace and living in harmony with nature. In 1925 the Bureau of Indian Affairs asked Eastman to Investigate the death and burial location of Sacagawea the young woman who guided and Interpreted for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. He determined that she died of old age in 1884. CONTENTS:-