Empire Of The Summer Moon Final Essay

Empire Of The Summer Moon Final Essayin A Well Written And Thoughtful

In a well-written and thoughtful essay, answer the following five questions concerning the monograph, Empire of the Summer Moon, by S.C. Gwynne. To do well on this essay you must fully answer all of the questions in an essay form. Please do not simply write the questions number and the answer. Make it an essay.

Important : you must cite specific information in the book that corresponds to your points. A simple parenthesis with a page number is fine for citation, e.g. (175). Finally, the only material you can reference is the book itself. Please do not use outside sources or summaries. That would do more harm than good since it would be plagiarism.

Plagiarism is bad. I have not had too much problem with it so far this semester. Let us not start now. There is no min or max page limit to this essay, but I think a good essay would probably fall in the range of 3-5 pages. These are large questions, after all.

Please use the standard essay format: double-spaced, 11 or 12pt font, Times New Roman or Arial script (or any other professional script). Questions to answer: Why do you think Gwynne wrote this book? What was the main point he was trying to get across? Was he effective in convincing you about his point? How did race and ethnicity factor into the realities of the Texas frontier?

Can the story of the “West” be told in terms of race? Why or why not? Be sure to give specific examples from the book. Compare and contrast white-Texan culture to the culture of the Comanche during the 19th Century. What major differences and/or similarities do you see?

Be sure to use specific examples from the book. In your opinion, was Quanah Parker a “preserver of the Comanche culture” or a “sell-out”? Is he a heroic figure of the Comanche or just a person that adopted the “American ways”? Be specific and give examples from the book that fit your argument. Finally, in a concluding paragraph, briefly write what you thought of the book. Did you like or dislike it? What worked and what did not?

Paper For Above instruction

The monograph "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex and often brutal history of the Texas frontier, focusing notably on the wars between the white settlers and the Comanche. Gwynne's primary motive appears to be an effort to illuminate the life and culture of the Comanche, as well as the impact of American expansionism on indigenous peoples (p. 12). Gwynne’s storytelling aims to challenge perhaps stereotypical narratives, portraying the fierce independence and resilience of the Comanche while also critically examining the consequences of American military and settler expansion. Throughout the book, Gwynne convincingly underscores the destructive consequences of colonization and the importance of understanding different cultural perspectives, although at times some may argue his focus remains centered on a mostly Western perspective.

Gwynne’s main point seems to be that the story of the American West, especially Texas, cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the central role that the Comanche played in shaping its history—both in terms of military power and cultural influence (p. 45). He effectively convinces the reader of the formidable nature of the Comanche, their strategic mastery of the plains, and the reasons for their resilience for nearly a century despite aggressive U.S. military campaigns (pp. 182-183). Gwynne’s depiction of the relentless resistance by the Comanche, as well as their complex social organization and spiritual life, underscores a narrative of indigenous strength often overshadowed in mainstream history. His vivid descriptions and use of primary sources help persuade the reader that the story of the West is inextricably intertwined with Native peoples’ resistance and adaptation.

Race and ethnicity are central themes in the realities of the Texas frontier, as Gwynne vividly captures the racial tensions and perceptions that defined interactions between Comanche and white settlers. The book illustrates how indigenous peoples were often seen as obstacles to expansion, dehumanized through violence and forced relocations (p. 210). At the same time, Gwynne portrays the complexities of cultural exchanges, such as Quanah Parker’s unique position as both a leader of the Comanche and someone who navigated American cultural ways. The racial dimension also reflects the broader context of American racial ideology, with Native Americans often regarded as inferior or savage, justifying military campaigns and displacement (pp. 250-251).

The story of the “West” can indeed be told through the lens of race, as Gwynne’s narrative demonstrates how race shaped conflicts, alliances, and cultural persistence. For example, the clash between white settlers and the Comanche was not just territorial but also racial, rooted in differing worldviews—indigenous spiritual traditions versus Western notions of land ownership (p. 160). The contrast between white-Texan culture, characterized by its emphasis on individualism, territorial conquest, and economic expansion, and the Comanche culture, based on mobility, spiritual sovereignty, and communal kinship, reveals significant differences (pp. 120-121). However, there are also similarities articulated in the resilience and adaptability shared by both groups, though their values and worldviews diverged markedly.

Quanah Parker exemplifies the complex figure of a cultural bridge—sometimes viewed as a preserver of his people’s traditions, and at other times seen as a sell-out who adopted American ways. Gwynne presents Quanah as a pragmatic leader who recognized the changing realities and sought to secure a future for the Comanche people, often through negotiation and adaptation (p. 385). While some may argue that his alliances and modernity compromised traditional ways, others see him as a hero who navigated impossible circumstances with intelligence and resilience (pp. 390-391). Quantitatively, in his efforts to preserve aspects of Comanche culture—such as the spiritual and social practices—while also engaging with American society, he embodied a complex identity that defies simple categorization (pp. 395-396).

In conclusion, I found "Empire of the Summer Moon" to be a compelling and insightful book. Its vivid storytelling and detailed research provided a nuanced understanding of the Texas frontier—particularly the culture and resilience of the Comanche. I appreciated how Gwynne humanized the indigenous perspective, although at times I felt the emphasis on military history overshadowed cultural nuances. Overall, the book worked well to challenge stereotypical narratives about the West and made a significant contribution to understanding Native American history from a more balanced perspective. I would recommend it to students interested in American history, indigenous studies, and military history, though some readers interested solely in Western expansion might find the focus on Native resistance and culture particularly enlightening.

References

• Gwynne, S. C. (2010). Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanche Nation. Scribner.
• Brown, Dee. (1970). Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
• Horsman, Reginald. (1981). Race and Manifest Destiny: The Colonialist Vision of the American West. Harvard University Press.
• Hyde, George E. (1968). Red Cloud’s War. University of Nebraska Press.
• Leuchtenburg, William E. (2009). The Myth of American Exceptionalism. Cornell University Press.
• Perdue, Theda. (2004). The Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears. A.P. Publications.
• Simpson, Lou. (2014). Red Power and the American Indian Movement. University of Nebraska Press.
• Vizenor, Gerald. (1998). Fugitive Poses: Native American Indian Characters and European American Texts. University of Nebraska Press.
• Townsend, William H. (1959). The Rising Storm: The Battle for the Treasure Mountain. University of Nebraska Press.
• Robertson, H. M. (2000). Native American Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Languages, Histories, and Cultures. Routledge.