Dances With Wolves Cultural Analysis

Spiritual Symbolism of the Wolf in Art
Spirituality is one of the most dominant themes in art, and has been clearly portrayed by many artists throughout history which reflect the faith and beliefs of their time and culture. Spirituality is something we regard as intensely personal, or something we feel passionate about. For some, it is in a set religion, others a way of life, or in nature.
Nature is a way many people can reflect themselves onto, creating a sense of oneness and divinity. In native culture especially American, the theme of nature is their core belief. And believe in that everything (object/ fauna etc.) has a spirit. The most highly respected spirit is the wolf, for its characteristics. The wolf is a strong character, and symbolizes loyalty,
It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake and tells the story of a Union Army lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post and his dealings with a group of Lakota Indians. This is a handsomely photographed and well-acted film is a very special cross-cultural resource that explores in sympathetic and salutary ways the ideals of hospitality, empathy, humor, and friendship. Best of all, ‘Dances with Wolves’ shows the paths we all must take to become true human beings. During the start of the film, the main character John Dunbar undergoes a spiritual quest and is transformed. At the beginning of ‘Dances with Wolves’, John Dunbar can be considered an undeveloped spiritual person, yet at the end it is apparent that the Lakota tribe indirectly assisted Dunbar in becoming a spiritually mature individual. John Dunbar was portrayed quite insensitive to the beliefs and culture of the Lakota. Originally, he believed that they were ‘savages’ and that all the Lakota tribe wanted to do was to steal his