The settings show the difference between how the white men live and how the Native Americans live. When John Dunbar is first entering the western frontiers the establishing shots and music present the awe of the newly discovered land away from most of white civilization. The shots show amber waves of tall grass, peaceful babbling brooks, and valleys. He has never seen land so wild and beautiful and he feels in touch with nature. Living near the Sioux and the Pawnee make Dunbar live in fear because because he doesn't know what to expect of them. After he earns their trust he becomes part of the Sioux tribe and indulges in their culture and leaves most of his behind. His new environment with the Sioux gives him a new family that he is sworn to protect. He is very committed to them as compared to the U.S. Army in the civil war where he attempted suicide. I found it amazing that just the setting someone is in can change who they become and what they're influenced to do.
(This made me think about how John Dunbar must have felt when in touch with his true spirit and nature)
Much was represented by images in the film. The Sioux all took pride in their hair and it is a trophy of their accomplishments and a story of their life. They all had straight hair which they could decorate with feathers or beads. This is why some tribes like the Pawnee scalped their enemies for a trophy. This is similar to John Dunbar's diary. It tells his entire transition from a soldier to Sioux and is very sentimental to him. In contrast, the soldiers of the U.S. Army valued things for their function instead of sentimental values such as when they kill several buffalo and only take their hide and nothing else. Instead of letting the animal go to waste, the Sioux use all body parts of the buffalo for tools, decorations, tipis, and other items. They also thank the animal and believe that it dies for a worthy cause so it is very disrespectful to kill a buffalo and not use parts of it. However, the two opposite cultures do have a few intersects. They both value family highest over all else. When Wind In His Hair's son is about to be killed by a buffalo, Dunbar shoots the animal right before it can reach him and to show his appreciation, Wind In His Hair offers its heart as a gift to Dunbar as a sign of trust. Before this happened Wind In His Hair disliked Dunbar. Another time at the camp, Dunbar trades his soldiers coat to Wind In His Hair in exchange for his necklace. This symbolizes two cultures ignoring their differences and living in harmony to trust each other. Throughout the film, there were many examples of cultural differences, but personally I found myself awestruck and inspired by the fact that they came together and somehow gained trust from one another.
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