Dances with Wolves

The first image that arose in my mind when I heard that I would be viewing the 1990 picture, Dances with Wolves directed by Kevin Costner, was literally a person dancing in a field with wolves. Not to my surprise, however, that was not the case. In fact, there really aren't any wolves in this film at all so far besides one that has only shown up only a few times. What this film is really about, as far as I can tell, is the communication, acceptance, and ability for a white man and a Sioux tribe to live amongst each other in peace. While the Sioux tribe demonstrates a willingness to reach out into the world and exchange knowledge and friendship, the Pawnee tribe violently illustrates their negativity towards "outsiders".

Through analyzing this exemplary film I have drawn out the emotions of fear and hope. When John Dunbar came across a small camp where a chaotic and violent battle had clearly taken place, he decided to make it his post and clean up the clutter. At first this site displayed fear and negativity but as soon as Dunbar began to bring it back to life it he was also bringing back hope. Another part of the movie in which I had gotten the perception of fear and hope were the interactions that took place between Dunbar and the Sioux indians. The very first few occasions in which the Sioux indians had met Dunbar there was distinctive fear. The Sioux have always thought of white men to be dirty, disrespectful, and dangerous so of course it was inevitable to be fearful of Dunbar while at the same time attempting to present their dominance to him so that he would keep his distance. Dunbar on the other hand did not illustrate his fear upfront. Instead he confronted it and reached out to the Sioux. After some time had passed, trust between the Sioux and Dunbar grew and eventually they were able to better communicate through one of their women who had maintained some english from her childhood. As communication and trust increase in the film, so does the hope of coexisting.

As I begin to further watch Dances with Wolves, I anticipate what falling out with occur as of course every movie contains one. My hypothesis would be that the Pawnee come into contact with the Sioux and become outraged to see that the Sioux have made an ally with a white man. This will then result in a brutal battle and not much later will white settlers become involved. Two Socks, the name Dunbar provided for the lone wolf that occasionally accompanies him at his campsite might end up murdered by a Sioux that will then shatter the ability for Dunbar to coexist peacefully with their tribe.