Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of TearsUniversity of Oklahoma Press, 11 դեկ, 2014 թ. - 226 էջ Set against the tragic events of the Cherokees' removal from their traditional lands in North Carolina to Indian Territory between 1835-1838, Mountain Windsong is a love story that brings to life the suffering and endurance of the Cherokee people. It is the moving tale of Waguli (Whippoorwill") and Oconeechee, a young Cherokee man and woman separated by the Trail of Tears. Just as they are about to be married, Waguli is captured be federal soldiers and, along with thousands of other Cherokees, taken west, on foot and then by steamboat, to what is now eastern Oklahoma. Though many die along the way, Waguli survives, drowning his shame and sorrow in alcohol. Oconeechee, among the few Cherokees who remain behind, hidden in the mountains, embarks on a courageous search for Waguli. Robert J. Conley makes use of song, legend, and historical documents to weave the rich texture of the story, which is told through several, sometimes contradictory, voices. The traditional narrative of the Trail of Tears is told to a young contemporary Cherokee boy by his grandfather, presented in bits and pieces as they go about their everyday chores in rural North Carolina. The telling is neiter bitter nor hostile; it is sympathetic by unsentimental. An ironic third point of view, detached and often adversarial, is provided by the historical documents interspersed through the novel, from the text of the removal treaty to Ralph Waldo Emerson's letter to the president of the United States in protest of the removal. In this layering of contradictory elements, Conley implies questions about the relationships between history and legend, storytelling and myth-making. Inspired by the lyrics of Don Grooms's song "Whippoorwill," which open many chapters in the text, Conley has written a novel both meticulously accurate and deeply moving. |
From inside the book
Արդյունքներ 39–ի 1-ից 5-ը:
... mind to . He paused to take a few deep sucks on his pipe . " There at Horseshoe Bend , " he said finally , " this Cherokee He Keeps Falling Over , stepped in between General Jackson and a Creek who was just about to kill the general ...
... t think so , " said Junaluska . " I don't know why they've changed their minds , but I don't believe they are cowards . " " Traitors , then , " said Elaqui . " Every man has a right to express his opinion Mountain Windsong 19.
... minds . " Waguli looked up and , quite by accident , his eyes caught the eyes of Oconeechee , who was standing behind her father . She had been watching him . He could tell . He looked quickly back down at the ground . " What can I tell ...
... mind with all those other thoughts was the fear that one or more of the small beasts might decide to attack my bare feet and legs with those terrible pinchers . There were so many of them by then that I couldn't even count them . I got ...
... minds ? " " They didn't change their minds , " he said . " We caught most of them . " " I don't mean the crawdads , " I said . " I mean those men . Those Cherokees who said we should all move to Oklahoma . " " Oh . You're talking about ...
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Բաժին 11 | 140 |
Բաժին 12 | 147 |
Բաժին 13 | 154 |
Բաժին 14 | 161 |
Բաժին 15 | 168 |
Բաժին 16 | 183 |
Բաժին 17 | 191 |
Բաժին 18 | 199 |