blog 13

After reading Zitkala-Sa’s writings about her life on the Indian Reservation in South Dakota and her life in the white man’s world, I do not think that this exemplifies a story of the American Dream coming true.  The American Dream is defined as “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American and as a life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S.” on dictionary.reference.com. Zitkala-Sa did not originally have to freedom to do what she wanted.  She was forced to cut her hair and lean the white man’s way in the Whites Manual Institute, but she was eventually able to choose if she wanted to go to college in the white man’s world.  Although she was not originally accepted in this world, she eventually gained the support of her peers and became successful in this world.  Some may see this as fulfilling the American Dream but towards the end of her story she writes “the little taste of victory did not satisfy a hunger in my heart (438)”.  With this statement, Zitkala-Sa is letting readers know that even though she overcame a lot of obstacles in her life and was successful in college career, she did not have personal happiness which is one of the aspects of the American Dream.  She did not have the support of her mother and could not be happy knowing that her mother did not approve of her continuing her education.  I think this statement at the end of her story allows readers to understand that the America n Dream is not only about success and equality, but also about personal accomplishments and happiness, and without satisfying all aspects of the American Dream, there is no success in making this dream come true.