Essay Database

Black Elk was nine years of age when he first had his vision. He became very ill during the summer. He heard a voice while he was lying in his tepee. He saw two men coming from the clouds both carrying a long spear from the points of these spears lightning was flashing. He followed these men. A cloud came down from the sky and swept him into the sky. The men took Black Elk …

…make it sound not as bad as it really was. Black Elk also speaks from the heart and is unafraid to talk of his grief and other emotions. I think three things that would make a great discussion would be the depth of their spirituality, visions, and rituals; their total dependence on the United States after the tribe was moved to reservations; and their inability to hunt and take care of themselves during this time.