journal #13

Through out this story we see the struggle of Zitkala-Sa as she is forcefully integrated into the American way of life. Her rebellion to this new culture seems to prove that this story is anti-American dream. She has little to no choice in the changes in her life. Her cultural and social norms do not align with those of the "pale faces" and she futilely tries to hold onto what she knows. This does not support what we have discussed as the American dream, being forced into a new life while wanting nothing more than to keep your old one sounds more like slavery. But in the end she is triumphant in her goals, she seems pleased with where her life has taken her but where did everything transition? I believe her story ends with an accomplished goal of the American dream and proving those around you wrong. Her dream seems to have a more vengeful twist to it than previously analyzed outcomes of the American dream and even an unfinished one at that, but none the less I think it still qualifies. Her ending sentence states that "the little taste of victory did not satisfy a hunger" in her heart. I think she has accomplished her dream of an American education, but in the end she still longs for her mothers approval. I think that even though she is not completely happy in where her life has taken her, i think the motivation to prove to her mother and everyone around her that she is capable of doing whatever she pleases. This is such  strong factor of the American dream that it changes the aspect of the story in the end. She begins afraid and rebellious of this new life, but by the end turns around and takes charge of it and wields it to work in her favor. This proves her to be a strong independent citizen with nothing but her future ahead of her. This, i believe, any American would be proud to be called.