Two Months in Big Bears Camp essays

Two Months in Big Bears Camp essays In "Two Months in Big Bears Camp, 1885," Sarah Carter argues that in their book "Two Months in the Camp of Big Bear: The Life and Adventures of Theresa Gowanlock and Theresa Delaney," the authors falsify their accounts of the happenings documented within. Both Theresa's tell significantly different stories immediatly after their release from the cree camp than what is published. The resulting work, is a reflection of the stereotypes of the times, as well as propaganda in support of the government. Furthermore, the attitude that resulted from the book proved to further deteriorate the already poor view of the indian bands within Canada. To support her argument, Carter uses the newspaper, The Daily Patriot, to show the type of rumors already in place when the women were released from their "captors". For example quotes such as this one from The Daily Patriot demonstrate the common pursuasive attitude. "[thier story was] the most touching of all... their death now at the hands of the indians is unspeakably sad...". Carter shows the Toronto Daily News as one of the only papers to realize the actual goings on. It was printed that "outrages of this sort has never been, and is not now, an indian habit." She quotes other papers of the times spouting off opposing un-truths, and persuasive propaganda to furthur rally the people against the "inhuman custodians." She again uses a myriad of papers who all point out that both women reported in their initial statements that "they had been treated well, had had plenty to eat, and had been subjected to no cruelties". Their statements continue in a consistent manner through out their statements, emphasizing the fact they were more boarded then captured. Citing two books, "White Captives: Gender and Ethnicity on the American Frontier" by June Namias, and "North Country Captives: Selected Naratives of Indian Captivity from Vermont and New Hampshire" by Colin Calloway to depict the "typ ...