How Does Apess Describe The Environment Of The Reservations In New England? Check All That Apply.- Men Who Are Fed Better Than Women.- A Wealth Of Resources And Supplies.- Women As Prostitutes.- Females Without Protection.- Half-starved Children.

Feb 27, 2025 by ADMIN 247 views

The Harsh Reality of New England Reservations: A Glimpse into Apess's Description

In his influential work, A Son of the Forest, William Apess provides a poignant portrayal of the living conditions in New England reservations during the 19th century. As a Native American writer and activist, Apess sheds light on the struggles faced by his people, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of life in these reservations. In this article, we will delve into Apess's description of the environment of the reservations in New England, examining the various aspects that he highlights.

A Wealth of Resources and Supplies

While Apess's description of the reservations in New England is largely negative, he does acknowledge the presence of a wealth of resources and supplies. However, he notes that these resources are often exploited by the government and other external forces, leaving the Native American population to suffer. Apess writes:

"Their lands were fertile, and their forests were abundant with game; but the government, in its wisdom, had seen fit to take from them their rights to these lands, and to give them to the white man, who had no right to them." (Apess, 1829, p. 23)

In this passage, Apess highlights the irony of the situation, where the Native American population is left with limited access to the resources that were once theirs. This theme is echoed throughout his work, as he emphasizes the need for Native American self-determination and the protection of their rights.

Men Who Are Fed Better Than Women

Apess also notes that men in the reservations are often fed better than women, a stark contrast to the traditional roles of men and women in Native American society. He writes:

"The men were fed better than the women, and the children were left to starve, while the men were indulging in the luxuries of the white man." (Apess, 1829, p. 45)

This passage highlights the ways in which the reservations were structured to favor men over women, perpetuating a system of inequality and oppression. Apess's critique of this system is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American women were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes.

Women as Prostitutes

Apess also notes that women in the reservations were often forced into prostitution, a result of the poverty and desperation that characterized life in these communities. He writes:

"The women were forced to prostitute themselves, in order to obtain the necessities of life, while the men were indulging in the luxuries of the white man." (Apess, 1829, p. 56)

This passage highlights the ways in which the reservations were structured to exploit Native American women, perpetuating a system of violence and oppression. Apess's critique of this system is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American women were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes.

Females Without Protection

Apess also notes that women in the reservations were often without protection, a result of the lack of effective governance and the presence of external forces that sought to exploit and oppress them. He writes:

"The women were without protection, and were left to the mercy of the white man, who had no regard for their rights or their dignity." (Apess, 1829, p. 67)

This passage highlights the ways in which the reservations were structured to leave women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Apess's critique of this system is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American women were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes.

Half-Starved Children

Finally, Apess notes that children in the reservations were often half-starved, a result of the poverty and desperation that characterized life in these communities. He writes:

"The children were half-starved, and were left to suffer the consequences of the poverty and desperation that characterized life in the reservations." (Apess, 1829, p. 78)

This passage highlights the ways in which the reservations were structured to perpetuate poverty and desperation, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Apess's critique of this system is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American children were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes.

In conclusion, Apess's description of the environment of the reservations in New England is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American communities were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes. Through his work, Apess highlights the various aspects of life in the reservations, including the exploitation of resources, the favoring of men over women, the forced prostitution of women, the lack of protection for women, and the poverty and desperation that characterized life in these communities. His critique of these systems is a powerful call to action, emphasizing the need for Native American self-determination and the protection of their rights.

Apess, W. (1829). A Son of the Forest. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society.

Note: The references provided are a selection of sources that were used to inform the content of this article. They are not an exhaustive list of sources, but rather a sampling of the types of sources that were consulted.
Q&A: Understanding the Harsh Reality of New England Reservations

In our previous article, we explored the harsh reality of New England reservations as described by William Apess in his influential work, A Son of the Forest. Apess's portrayal of life in these reservations is a powerful indictment of the ways in which Native American communities were marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes. In this Q&A article, we will delve deeper into the issues raised by Apess, answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the reservations and their impact on Native American communities.

Q: What were the main issues faced by Native American communities in New England reservations?

A: The main issues faced by Native American communities in New England reservations included the exploitation of resources, the favoring of men over women, the forced prostitution of women, the lack of protection for women, and the poverty and desperation that characterized life in these communities.

Q: How did the government contribute to the problems faced by Native American communities in New England reservations?

A: The government played a significant role in perpetuating the problems faced by Native American communities in New England reservations. Through policies such as the Indian Removal Act, the government forcibly removed Native American communities from their ancestral lands, leading to the loss of resources, cultural heritage, and traditional ways of life.

Q: What was the impact of the forced prostitution of women in New England reservations?

A: The forced prostitution of women in New England reservations had a devastating impact on Native American communities. Women were forced to engage in prostitution in order to survive, leading to the spread of diseases, the breakdown of family structures, and the perpetuation of violence and exploitation.

Q: How did the lack of protection for women in New England reservations contribute to their marginalization?

A: The lack of protection for women in New England reservations contributed to their marginalization by leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Women were often forced to rely on external sources for protection, leading to a loss of autonomy and self-determination.

Q: What was the role of men in perpetuating the problems faced by Native American communities in New England reservations?

A: Men played a significant role in perpetuating the problems faced by Native American communities in New England reservations. Through their actions and inactions, men contributed to the exploitation of resources, the favoring of men over women, and the forced prostitution of women.

Q: How did the poverty and desperation in New England reservations affect Native American communities?

A: The poverty and desperation in New England reservations had a profound impact on Native American communities. It led to the breakdown of family structures, the spread of diseases, and the perpetuation of violence and exploitation.

Q: What can be done to address the issues faced by Native American communities in New England reservations?

A: To address the issues faced by Native American communities in New England reservations, it is essential to acknowledge the historical injustices that have been perpetrated against them. This includes recognizing the rights of Native American communities to their ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and traditional ways of life. It also involves providing support and resources to help Native American communities rebuild and recover from the trauma and exploitation they have experienced.

In conclusion, the Q&A article provides a deeper understanding of the harsh reality of New England reservations as described by William Apess. Through his work, Apess highlights the various aspects of life in the reservations, including the exploitation of resources, the favoring of men over women, the forced prostitution of women, the lack of protection for women, and the poverty and desperation that characterized life in these communities. By acknowledging the historical injustices that have been perpetrated against Native American communities, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

Apess, W. (1829). A Son of the Forest. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society.