The Power of Red Jacket
Nicole Luck
Dr. Paul Haspel
American Literature I
Ready Like a Red Jacket In Red Jacket’s speech he addresses Jacob Cram’s statement that “there is but one religion, and but one way to serve God, and if you do not embrace the right way, you cannot be happy hereafter”(). When Red Jacket responds, he is not only talking to his fellow tribe members, but to future generations as well. And not necessarily about religion, but about life and the flaws and effects an oppressive culture can have upon another. The most notable aspect of his speech is the repetition of the word “brother.” It begins every new section of the speech, and serves to create a calmer feeling towards those to which he was speaking. It shows respect and honor, which can sway the opposing side to his side. This was also present in Tecumseh’s speech to the Osages in a rally cry against the white people. Red Jacket’s case, however, was a proposition of peace, not war. He is merely trying to win the respect he felt his people deserved as a dignified, intelligent, wise, and emotional society. By using the term “brother,” he is acknowledging not only the individual respectfully, but that every one of the white race, no, all races, are equal to him and his tribe, and therefore, deserve the same respect. By this assumption he is humbly, cleverly if you ask me, placing upon the listener, he is forcing them to listen to his proposition, even if it’s just to be polite. Now, while he is trying to talk peacefully about the subject and being extremely tactful, Red Jacket still clearly points out that he believes that his religion is the best. In his speech, he points out that “if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?” He doesn’t come right out and claim that the white people’s religion is wrong; he simply points out a weak point in Cram’s statement. Red Jacket does not make a direct statement, but poses his idea as a question to ponder about. He is forcing them to question
Dr. Paul Haspel
American Literature I
Ready Like a Red Jacket In Red Jacket’s speech he addresses Jacob Cram’s statement that “there is but one religion, and but one way to serve God, and if you do not embrace the right way, you cannot be happy hereafter”(). When Red Jacket responds, he is not only talking to his fellow tribe members, but to future generations as well. And not necessarily about religion, but about life and the flaws and effects an oppressive culture can have upon another. The most notable aspect of his speech is the repetition of the word “brother.” It begins every new section of the speech, and serves to create a calmer feeling towards those to which he was speaking. It shows respect and honor, which can sway the opposing side to his side. This was also present in Tecumseh’s speech to the Osages in a rally cry against the white people. Red Jacket’s case, however, was a proposition of peace, not war. He is merely trying to win the respect he felt his people deserved as a dignified, intelligent, wise, and emotional society. By using the term “brother,” he is acknowledging not only the individual respectfully, but that every one of the white race, no, all races, are equal to him and his tribe, and therefore, deserve the same respect. By this assumption he is humbly, cleverly if you ask me, placing upon the listener, he is forcing them to listen to his proposition, even if it’s just to be polite. Now, while he is trying to talk peacefully about the subject and being extremely tactful, Red Jacket still clearly points out that he believes that his religion is the best. In his speech, he points out that “if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?” He doesn’t come right out and claim that the white people’s religion is wrong; he simply points out a weak point in Cram’s statement. Red Jacket does not make a direct statement, but poses his idea as a question to ponder about. He is forcing them to question