The Pole and The Tree: Zitkála-šá's "Consciousness" and the New Thought.

  • Published In: ELH, 2024, v. 91, n. 3. P. 843 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Sy, Lloyd Alimboyao 3 of 3

Abstract

This article traces a strand of determined positive thinking in the work of Zitkála-Šá, a Yankton Sioux author, to late-nineteenth century metaphysical religious currents called the New Thought. I show how Zitkála-Šá's theories of "consciousness" resemble the work of contemporaneous pragmatic philosophy, but speak specifically to the concerns of Native peoples, exhibiting what Gerald Vizenor called "survivance." Furthermore, I connect this vision of Native life to her environmental imagery by showing how Zitkála-Šá's sylvan symbols (the tree and the pole) allow her to illustrate how Natives might concurrently embrace "consciousness" and traditional ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:ELH. 2024/09, Vol. 91, Issue 3, p843
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0013-8304
  • DOI:10.1353/elh.2024.a936615
  • Accession Number:179576510
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