BKMT READING GUIDES
One Thousand White Women (20th Anniversary Edition): The Journals of May Dodd: A Novel
by Jim Fergus
Published: 2007-05-04
Paperback : 304 pages
Paperback : 304 pages
12 members reading this now
304 clubs reading this now
6 members have read this book
304 clubs reading this now
6 members have read this book
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Introduction
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Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions from Reading Group Gold, courtesy of St. Martin's Press:1. The Cheyenne are often referred to as “savages,” even by the women who voluntarily travel to live among them. During this time period, what is it that makes the Cheyenne savage, and the white “civilized”? Are there ways in which you would judge the Cheyenne in the novel more civilized than the whites? Are there ways in which you consider them less civilized?
2. Were you surprised that Little Wolf, the Cheyenne chief, was so aware and seemingly resigned to the fact that his culture was doomed? How does this differ from our attitudes and assumptions as U.S. citizens?
3. Did you admire May Dodd’s rebelliousness? Did you find it shocking that she would leave her children behind? Do you consider her a sympathetic character?
4. Did you find it believable that the U.S. government might undertake a covert project such as the “Brides for Indians” program? Do you think the author had more modern history in mind when he developed this idea?
5. Were you surprised by elements of the Cheyenne culture as depicted here?
6. Do you think that the Cheyenne culture was respectful of women? Consider what might seem contradictory elements—–for example, it is a matrilineal society, and yet warriors could have multiple wives.
7. Compare what the Cheyenne culture valued in women compared with what white culture at the time valued in women. Contrast Captain Bourke’s fiancé, Miss Lydia Bradley, with May Dodd. In what ways, do May and Lydia represent different types of women? In what ways have cultural expectations of women changed since this time period, and in what ways have they remained the same?
8. Did you find it believable that the white women embraced the Cheyenne culture, and willingly married with them?
9. Compare your concept of romantic love, and married love, with the relationship that develops between May and Little Wolf.
10. Were you surprised by the violence among tribes as depicted here? Did it contrast with your understanding of Native American cultures? What similarities were there between the violence among tribes, and the violence between whites and Native Americans?
11. While depicting the slaughter of Native American culture, Jim Fergus also portrays the imminent decimation of the natural landscape. Consider both tragedies. Were they equally inevitable? Are they equally irreversible?
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by butterflybabe (see profile) 08/09/15Could you have made such a journey?
Do you ever wonder if you could have survived during this period in history.
How do you feel about the way women were treated in the 19th century as compared to today?
by Domenena (see profile) 06/11/15Discuss the different spiritual beliefs
The way women were thought of as second class citizens, worker bees in the tribes
by GrandmaNaNa (see profile) 09/14/14Could you tell that this was written by a man?
Did May and her friends seem real to you?
Did these women feel as if they were from the 19th century?
by dmc1230 (see profile) 02/15/10Is the scenario presented in this book realistic?
by dcokingtin (see profile) 01/22/10is it hope, fear or disbelief that keeps oppressed groups from fighting back?
what is the effect of westernization on the world today? how do we view those who fight it?
by holland (see profile) 12/05/09How were women expected to behave and what could they expect to happen to them if they didn't "toe the line" and has that changed really?
by susanbeamon (see profile) 09/16/09Weblinks
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Recommended to book clubs by 44 of 49 members.
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