What was the difference to Dances With Wolves between fighting in the Civil War “in the name of some dark political objective” and fighting the Pawnee?  (Chapter XXVI, Pt. 6, p. 269)  When is war justified, in your view?

 

a. According to the line 27~34 in page 269, there are two kinds of wars. Like Civil War, one has some political objective such as territory, riches, and freedom. The other doesn’t have any egoism. Its purpose is to protect their family, to keep their feeling of love, and to keep their food for winter season. In my opinion, war cannot be justified in any case. If we have a problem with each other, we should solve it with discussion. It is because a war can cause another war. (Dae Gun Kim 14/04/07)

b. The Civil War had a bit of dark political objective and without individual's perception;on the other hand, fighting the Pawnee had feel and act. In my point of view, when people want to protect their country that is a good reasons for fighting. (Jennifer,042007)

c.Being patriotic toward once country is worth,everybody are patriotic toward there country and to have a civil war for protecting a country is worth.(shaheen(kashish)).

d. Dances with the wolves understood that there are another kind of fight not for a dark political objective such as territory or riches. It was a war to protect wives and childeren, and to preserve the food stores. In my view, war is justified when it against terriorism and to protect our home from enemy. (Mohamed, 04/26/07).

Dances With Wolves has two sides to his character.  On the one hand, he is gentle and takes no pleasure in killing.  On the other hand, he is “a mindless, lethal machine that couldn’t be turned off…until it had accomplished its objective” (p. 18).  How can these two aspects co-exist in one man?

a. It is possible for Dances With Wolves to have two aspects. Its main reason is not his sense of duty, but his sense of desire. Although Dunbar didn’t know his feeling exactly, any circumstance is no problem for Dunbar. It is because he desired to accomplish his objective. Therefore, it was possible for there to be two aspects in one man at the same time. (Dae Gun Kim 14/04/07)  

b. I think it is reasonable that Dances With Wolves has two sides to his character.  He would affect himself or Dunbar's behavior. Dances With Wolves wanted to achieve his mission and then maybe cause death, even though there are some different sounds that came from his mind. He had to complete the mission. (Jennifer,042007)

c.Two sides for Dances with Wolves is worth to be told ,it was his duty ,feelings and commitment towards his work(job).(shaheen(kashish).

d. I think two aspects can co-exist in one man when this man in the same situation like Dunbar, he had to obay the orders no matter he is gentle or take no pleasure in killing, he was like a machine that coudn't be turned off untill it had accomplished its objective. (Mohamed, 04/26/07).

How was the Comanche wedding ceremony different from wedding ceremonies in your culture?  How was it similar? (Ch. XXVII, Pt. 5, pp. 278-79)

a. The Korean traditional wedding ceremony is very similar to Comanches'. There are an officiator and a lot of people who want to see the wedding ceremony. Also, visitors bring gifts to celebrate their wedding. After the ceremony, his and her friends visit their house. Up to that point, a Korean wedding ceremony is similar to a Comanche ceremony. However, their friends stay around their room to secretly see their first night. Once upon a time, it was the best important thing for new wedding couple to have a lot of babies. (Dae Gun Kim 14/04/07)

b. The difference between Comanche and Taiwan's wedding is schedule. There is one day for wedding in Taiwan and people prepare the money put in a red-envelop. The similar culture is treat people and people can go to the bride and groom's new h(Jennifer,042007)

C.hey!!!!exciting question a lot be written on this question ,in my culture bride and grooms do not see their face unless they r married it is huge celebration which continues for 5-7 days with lots of friends and family come and give their best wishes  to couple ,well it is kind of lil bit similar to comanche wedding like in comanche wedding friends and relatives ,lots of people who wants to see the weddind are present.(shaheen(kashish)).

d. In my culture, wedding is a very interesting thing. Family and friends of both bride and groom attend this festival which includes a varitey of food and drink. All visitors bring gifts for bride and groom or give them money to chosse their gift. Groom surround with his friends and also brides surround with her friends. In this ceremony, it is a good chance for a man who not married yet to chosse his future bride. (Mohamed, 04/26/07).

Chapter XXVIII, Part 2 describes the desecration of the forest by the white man.  Although it is perhaps an exaggeration, it reminds the reader of the destruction of the North American forests and their wildlife by the Americans.  How do you explain the wastefulness of what the white men had done?  Is it possible for modern civilizations to coexist with nature?  Is it possible to exist without it?

a. When white men first came to America, they needed lots of materials to build their private and public buildings. At that time, they didn’t have any conception that they should preserve nature. Their only aim was to survive in the new area. However, Indians knew how to live with their environment. I think that Indians usually thought that they were a part of nature. These days, environmental problems are very serious in the world. Is it possible for modern civilization to coexist with nature? My answer is “yes.” Now, many countries try to find the solution to these environmental problems. They really know that there will be no future unless they coexist with nature. For example, many countries have signed an agreement which limits the amount of CO2 a year. The Chinese government plants a lot of trees because desertification in China is a very serious problem. Also, many countries try to use natural energy instead of oil and coal, which are the main causes of the greenhouse effect. (Dae Gun Kim 18/04/07) 

 b. In my opinion, most modern civilizaions really want to coexist with nature and pursue a natural life because our earth is getting worse.  People can not exist without nature even if they rely on technology so far.  For the white men, by the time he had to build a new dwelling to live in, it could cause damage to nature, but there was no choice. White men had to figure out how to survive and continue to stay in the world. He could use all of the sources from nature but it could be destroyed. The utopia is an ideal and we wish we could have one. For people from all cultures, nature is the best environment. (Jennifer, 04/20/07)

c.I think as people are becomming more literate,they are slowly understanding the importance of environment, to live nature is important.Nature and life go hand in hand .earlier white man had no other choice but to damage nature and start life ,they had to survive in land for which they caused damage to environment ,but i think Indians were much more inteligent than white americans they know how to life ,and what is requireed to survive ,they used nature but in a proper manner.(Shaheen(kashish)).

d.  I think the modern civilization should coexist with nature by a way or another to conserve natural resources. In some countries, there are alot of organizations concerned about the enviromental issues such as the Green movement in the US. (Mohamed, 04/26/07).

Chapter XXIX tells of the destruction of Dances With Wolves’ world and of almost everything he loves.  In Part 8, he confirms his decision to “become a Comanche” by killing the soldiers who are taking him to Fort Hays. How did this chapter make you feel?

a. In this chapter, Dunbar lost Two Socks, which is a friendly wolf for him. When Dunbar came back the fort to find his diary, white men caught him. Although Dunbar was one, white men were many. I think that it was impossible to run away from them. However, Dunbar thought that he should go back to his tribe. It was because he should take care of Stands With A Fist and other Indians. He thought that white men would kill Indians. I think that Dunbar was a real Comanche. (Dae Gun Kim 18/04/07)

b. When Dunbar received the title of "Comanche", it could be kept in his mind. Throught out this chapter, I believe that Dunar was a hero because he knew what is the right thing and what is value to fight. He didn't forget who survived him when he suffering the differicul time. (Jennifer,042007)

C.Truely a Hero Of Novel Dances With Wolves ,"Lt.Dunbar".(shaheen(kashish)).

The story ends happily for Dances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist, but Blake ends the novel on a pessimistic note:  “But a human tide, one that they could neither see nor hear, was rising in the east.  It would be upon them soon.  The good times of that summer were the last they would have.  Their time was running out and would soon be gone forever.” (Chapter XXXI, p. 313)  Was this a good ending, or would you have preferred that Blake focus on the positive at the end?

a. In my opinion, this story is not happy-ending, and Blake’s assertion at the end of this novel is not positive. Although their lives look like clam and peaceful, Dunbar knows that Indians will lose everything soon. As a soldier of white men, he can guess that white men will come into their land as soon as possible. If so, Indians cannot stand against white men. As a result, Indians would lose everything.  I don’t prefer Blake’s conclusion, but I cannot deny it. (Dae Gun Kim 18/04/07)

b. I like the ending of this story because it seemed could be continued or just stop. The happy ending sometime is very general in each story; however, people always have sympathy for sad story and memorize it. (Jennifer,042007)

Comment: When I was a high school student, I watched the movie, Dances With Wolves. At that time, I just focused on the wonderful screen and a handsome guy, not the characters of actors. However, this novel shows well the flow of Dunbar’s feeling. After reading Dance With Wolves, I can understand this story more well. I want to recommend this book to my other Korean friends. Thank you very much Nina for your great suggestion. (Dae Gun Kim 18/04/07)

c.Story is not happy ending ,since white men are always dominating ,and they would just ,they would just take everything from indians.(shaheen(kashish)).

d. No doubt that this was a not happy end. He can not end by another way because he know what will happen to Indian at end and that they can't face white men soliders any more. He may try to focus on the positive end but I think sad end sometimes remain in memories and convinent with truth. (Mohamed, 04/26/07).

I am delighted that you enjoyed the novel!  Kudos to both of you for persevering to the end!  I am sure that your English has benefited greatly from the experience of reading these two books in full.