U.S. History – Dances with Wolves Questions

  1. What do the doctors want to do to Lt. John Dunbar’s leg?
  1. Why do you think he rides his horse in front of the Confederate lines?
  1. What is Lt. Dunbar’s reasoning for heading west?
  1. Why would the listing agent for the U.S. gov’t say “hail to the king?”
  1. Why do you think Lt. Dunbar would trust the guide who is leading him to his post?
  1. Why would the Native Americans kill settlers? Brief explanation.
  1. Who does Lt. Dunbar encounter at his post?
  1. If you encountered a Native American during this time, how would you react?
  1. Why does Lt. Dunbar not shoot Wind in His Hair?
  1. At first, how does Lt. Dunbar make friends with the Lakota? How does he communicate with them?
  1. How does the white woman come into her Native American family? What is her name?
  1. Who does Lt. Dunbar say killed the buffalo? Why would they do this?
  1. In your opinion, at what point does the communication channel open between Lt. Dunbar and his Lakota friends? Brief explanation.
  1. What happens at the campfire in the exchange of words between Dunbar and a Lakota?
  1. * What do the Lakota want to know from Lt. Dunbar?
  1. How does Lt. Dunbar earn his nickname and what is it?
  1. Why does Kicking Bird say Lt. Dunbar cannot fight with Lakota against the Pawnee?
  1. What do the Pawnee fight for, according to Lakota Chief Ten Bears?
  1. How do the Pawnee disguise their charge against the Lakota camp?
  1. What important elder is lost during the battle against the Pawnee?
  1. Who does Wind In His Hair say was his best friend?
  1. What does Dances With Wolves finally tell Kicking Bird?
  1. What does Ten Bears show Dances With Wolves?
  1. What does Dances With Wolves need to retrieve from the fort?
  1. Why would the U.S. Army charge Lt. Dunbar with treason? What grounds do they have? Brief explanation.

ESSAY (75 points):

Towards the end of the movie, Ten Bears shows Dances With Wolves (Lt. Dunbar) and Kicking Bird a Spanish Conquistador helmet. He tells them the Spanish, Mexicans, and Texans have all come through Sioux lands. He says: “They have been like all the others. They take without asking.”

What does Ten Bears mean by “they take without asking?” Do you agree with his words? Why or why not? Explain your answer in a 1 page, 12-font, 2 paragraph, double-spaced essay. ONLY YOUR NAME at top of Essay, no date, no class name, etc. Think back to some of the things we have covered in class and incorporate those in your paper.

DUE: Tuesday, February 16, beginning of class