Indians

“The Indian Character” by F. Parkman and “Among the Osage Indians in 1832” by Washington Irving, represent two contrasting views of the American Indians.
Irving has high opinion of Indians. He appreciated their appearance and their frank demeanor. As he says: “As the Osage drew near, I was struck by his appearance. He was about nineteen or twenty years of age, with the fine Roman countenance common to his tribe.” or “I compared the open, noble countenance and frank demeanor of the young Osage with the frontiersman.” But Parkman describes the Indians in his way “Nature has given the Indians a hard and stern countenance.”
As Irving mentions, Indians were eager to take part in the universal fondness for coffee and they relish it. In Parkman’s point of view the Indians will not learn the art of civilization and he disapproves their stern and unchanging mid.
As Irving had an opportunity of seeing Indians in their real life, he says that they are by no means the stoics that they are represented. He believes that their taciturnity and unbending is because of the fact that they do not trust white men and do not understand their language, but Parkman gives description such as “The Indians character are overcast by much that is dark, cold, and sinister, by sleepless distrust and burning jealousy.” or “ He hides all emotion with an iron self-control.”
Irving represents Indians as great mimics and buffoons when they are among themselves. He says that half their time is taken up in talking over their adventures in war and hunting and he witness their emotions both in mirth and at the death of a relative or friend, but Parkman claims that Indians hide all their emotion.
In my opinion Irving’s point of view is more positive and acceptable. He describes Indians like other human beings. He does not have that much prejudice towards Indians. I like the way he pictures Indians and Osage’s life.