DANCES
WITH
WOLVES
DANCES WITH WOLVES
HOMEWORK QUESTIONS
1.
Why do you think Dunbar rides across the field?
2.
What is the outcome of this event for him?
3.
Dunbar can go anywhere he wants to be posted, where does he choose and why?
4.
What is the significance of the “Crazy” Colonel who gives Dunbar his orders?
5.
What is Timmons’ view of the Indians?
6.
What fort does Dunbar become stationed at?
7.
After Timmons’ encounter with the Pawnee, who knows Dunbar is at the fort?
8.
What is the name of Dunbar’s horse?
9.
Why do you think the fort is abandoned? List two clues that Dunbar discovers.
A.
B.
10.
What is Dunbar’s first instinct when he sees the wolf?
11.
What does Dunbar name the wolf?
12.
How do the Indians react to Dunbar’s presence at the fort?
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13.
What do the Indian think about white people?
14.
Both the Indian boys and men tried to do what to Dunbar?
15.
What is Dunbar’s first reaction when Wind in his Hair comes charging? What other scene
in the movie is this like?
16.
What is the Indian woman doing on the prairie?
17.
How do the Indians react when Dunbar brings the woman back?
18.
What do we find out about the woman? What happened to her family?
19.
What is Dunbar trying to do with Two Socks?
20.
What is Dunbar’s impression of the Indians now? What does he say about them after they
give him the blanket?
21.
What parallels do you see between Two Socks and the Indians?
22.
What title (job) does Kicking Bird have among the Sioux?
23.
Who had killed the Buffalo before the Indians got there?
24.
Why do the Sioux seem to not understand such an act?
25.
What is Dunbar’s view of the Indians after the buffalo hunt?
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26.
What does Kicking Bird always want to know? Is Dunbar truthful with his answer?
27.
Why is Dunbar not allowed to go in the war party against the Pawnee?
28.
What is Dunbar’s new name?
29.
How did Stands With a Fist get her name?
30.
Why is Stands With a Fist not married?
31.
What is the significance of Two Socks taking the bacon?
32.
What does that event symbolize (hint: with the Indians)?
33.
Who dies from the Sioux in the battle?
34.
How is the Sioux marriage ceremony different than a white one?
35.
Where is Ten Bears’ helmet from? Does he seem worried about the whites?
36.
Why does Dances With Wolves have to go back to get the journal?
37.
What was the first reaction of the white soldiers when they first saw Dances With
Wolves?
38.
What are they going to do with Dances With Wolves when he gets back to Ft. Hayes?
39.
What does the event that happens to Two Socks symbolize?
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40.
Who kills Sgt. Bower (the soldier who was trying to sneak away)?
41.
What happened to the journal after the fight at the river? What might that symbolize?
42.
Why will Dances With Wolves be leaving?
43.
What do you think he is trying to accomplish with “those who will listen”?
44.
What does Smiles A Lot give to Dances With Wolves? What does this symbolize?
45.
After the fight at the river, do you ever see Smiles A Lot smile again? What might this
symbolize?
46.
What ultimately happens to the Sioux?
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MOVIE NOTES
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MOVIE NOTES
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Dances With Wolves
Orion Pictures, 1990; directed by Kevin Costner
Major Character
Actor/Actress
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar
Kevin Costner
Kicking Bird
Graham Greene
Stands with a Fist
Mary McDonnell
Wind in His Hair
Rodney A. Grant
Ten Bears
Floyd Red Crow Westerman
Black Shawl
Tantoo Cardinal
Smiles a Lot
Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse
Stone Calf
Jimmy Herman
What to Watch For
Dances with Wolves was produced and directed by Kevin Costner, who also played the part of the
main character, John Dunbar. This epic film won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture.
This film has been hailed by many historians as one that redresses many wrongs in Hollywood’s
portrayal of American Indians. Costner went to great lengths to provide an accurate picture of Sioux
(or, as these people called themselves, Lakota) life. Specialists versed in Sioux culture were hired to
make certain that costumes, rituals, and props were authentic. The language spoken by the Sioux in the
film with English subtitles is Lakota. A professor of Lakota studies from Sinte Gloska College in
South Dakota taught crew members, including the native Sioux, Lakota for the film. One result of the
popularity of this film has been a renewed interest in the Lakota language and culture by many Sioux.
The film has also been hailed as the first environmental Western. Dunbar searches for the unspoiled
frontier; he wishes to see it before it is gone. Compare the ways in which the American Indians inhabit
the land with the ways in which white settlers, soldiers, and hunters occupy it.
Animals play a very important role in the movie. One reason that Costner selected South Dakota as
the location for shooting was the proximity of the world’s largest privately owned herd of buffalo.
Two trained buffalo (Mammoth, owned by rock singer Neil Young, and Cody, the mascot of a meat
company) were also used. The scene where a buffalo charges a fallen boy is actually Cody racing
toward an Oreo cookie, his favorite treat, held out of camera range by a trainer. The fallen buffalo are
wire-framed fur dummies. No animals were harmed to make this film.
This movie has also generated some controversy. Some critics accused Costner of making the
American Indians too virtuous and the whites too evil. Others felt that Dunbar’s sensibilities were
those of a twentieth-century person and that the film transferred 1990s values into the world of the
1860s, when the environment was seen simply as a resource to be tamed and exploited for human
benefit.
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Vocabulary
frontier
garrison
Pawnee
Sioux
medicine man
Tatonka (buffalo)
tipi
Questions Based on the Film
1. Why does Dunbar end up at Fort Sedgewick?
2. What is the significance of Dunbar’s discovery of the garbage dump near the fort?
3. Why is Stands with a Fist afraid of Dunbar at first?
4. Why has this film been labeled the first environmental Western?
5. How does Dunbar compare the warfare among American Indian tribes to the Civil War in which he
has participated?
6. What kind of helmet does Ten Bears show Dunbar? What are Ten Bears’ fears?
7. What devices or techniques does the film use to draw you sympathetically into Lakota life and
culture? How do they help you understand the American Indian view of the relationship between
human beings and their environment?
8. Why is Dunbar accused of treason?
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The Buffalo
A Use for Everything
Item
1. Blood, bile from gall bladder
Native American Use
2. Brains
3. Gristle from snout
4. Horns
5. Skins
6. Hoofs
7. Hair
8. Bones
9. Teeth
10. Tendons
11. Stomach
12. Intestines
13. Skulls
14. Tongue
15. Tails
16. Buffalo fat
17. Buffalo chips
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ONE WITH THE LAND
Activity One
The Sioux Indians, like virtually all Native American tribes, lived in
harmony with their environment—until that harmony was disrupted and
destroyed by the coming of the white American between the 16th and 19th
centuries. The new Kevin Costner film Dances with Wolves—about an
American soldier who comes to live among the Sioux in the 1850s—
depicts this clash of cultures, which in part rose out of basic differences
between the two peoples and their attitudes toward the land and the
creatures living on it.
Part I
From what you know of the differing lifestyles and cultures of Native Americans and the white American
settlers who moved into their lands—especially during the 19th century—compare and contrast the attitudes of
both groups regarding each topic below.
NATIVE AMERICANS
WHITE AMERICANS
Hunting the buffalo
Using the land
Accepting other cultures
& people
Part II
After viewing the film Dances with Wolves, explain how each pair of events from the movie illustrates the
cultural differences between Native Americans and white Americans of the time.
1.
The Indians’ buffalo hunt, and the slaughtered animals Dunbar and Kicking Bird come upon.
2.
The fight between the Sioux and Pawnees, and the Civil War battle that opens the film.
3.
The visit of Wind In His Hair and Kicking Bird to Dunbar and the fort, and the treatment of Dances
With Wolves by the American soldiers.
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A PROUD PEOPLE
Activity Two
Dances with Wolves portrays a realistic image of the 19th-Century
Sioux Indians which is radically different from the perceptions
which many white Americans once held of them and of Native
Americans in general. Many Sioux were, in fact, loyal, courageous
warriors and fierce hunters who led a nomadic life, following the
buffalo herds across the prairie. Like other tribes throughout the
Americas, they had—as their descendants do today—their own
language, culture, and religious beliefs based on the spiritual nature
of life and the sacredness of nature and all its creatures.
Part I
Respond to the negative perceptions of 19th-Century Native Americans listed below by contrasting each with
a fact that you have learned from reading, viewing a recent television show or film, or from some other
recently published or produced informational source.
PERCEPTION
REALITY
1. Indians were savages who lived little
better than wild animals.
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2. Indians were cowards who had no
sense of loyalty, even to their own
people.
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3. Indians disliked all white people and
always had.
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Part II
Circumstances depicted in Dances with wolves reinforce actual realities we now know to be true about the
Sioux and their way of life. After seeing the film, explain how each situation described below invalidates the
three misconceptions from Part I.
1.
Village life among the Kiowa Sioux as observed by Lt. John J. Dunbar.
2.
The Sioux’s attack on the soldiers and rescue of Dances With Wolves.
3.
Christine’s life among the Sioux as Stands with a Fist.
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IT’S ALL IN THE NAME
Activity Three
Kicking Bird, a Sioux medicine man in Dances with Wolves, says of the American soldier who
was adopted by his tribe: “He is special… he should have a real name.” For the Sioux, a ‘real
name’ was one that described a physical or personal characteristic of the person being named. In
European cultures, names were often descriptive in similar ways but over time their meaning was
lost or became irrelevant.
Part I
What does your name mean? On the lines below, write your first and last names. Were you named for
someone famous or for another family member? What language and ethnic background is your last named
derived from and what does it mean, if anything? Write your responses in the spaces below.
first name
last name
Personal Meaning For You
Ethnic Origin
Meaning and Importance
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Now choose a descriptive, Indian-style name for yourself. Write this name and explain its meaning.
My descriptive name
Why I chose it
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Part II
After viewing Dances with Wolves, explain the origin of each character’s Sioux name. If the origin is not
explained directly in the film, infer one from what you know about this character.
Dances with Wolves ______________________________________________________
Stands with a Fist
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Wind in his Hair
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Smiles A Lot
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Ten Bears
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WHO WE REALLY ARE
Activity Four
Dances with Wolves’ title character, former soldier John J. Dunbar, comes to the realization
that as the adopted Sioux, Dances With Wolves, “I knew for the first time who I really was.”
Personal identity is important to all people, regardless of their cultural and ethnic
background. Personal experience and cultural environment can strongly affect a person’s
perception of who they are.
Part I
Considering how personal experience and relationships affect us all, examine your own life.
Describe below how each of these forces listed have shaped your identity and values.
1. Parents, Family
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2. School
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3. Friends
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4. An Important Experience
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Part II
After having lived among the Sioux, Lt. John J. Dunbar (now Dances With Wolves) finds that his values have
changed drastically. Once you have seen Dances with Wolves, compare and contrast this character’s
viewpoint on each of the following concepts, first as Dunbar and then as Dances with Wolves.
Lt. John J. Dunbar
Group or idea he is loyal to
Dances With Wolves
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
Career or goal in life
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
Relationship to the frontier
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
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Fact vs. Fiction
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As far as the historical background of the film is concerned, the Lakota chief called Ten Bears was actually a
Southern Plains Yapparika Comanche chief.
The real Kicking Bird was not a "medicine man", but a chief in another Southern Plains tribe called the Kiowa.
The original novel centered around the Comanche of the Southern Plains. However, due to the fact that the
film production company secured filming access to a herd of buffalo in South Dakota, a change of tribes
occurred.
The most significant historical error involves the winter campaign launched by the United States Army in
search of Dances With Wolves and Ten Bears' band.
The year is supposed to be 1864. No United States Army winter campaigns were launched against any Native
Americans until November of 1868.
The massacre that took place that month was led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer's 7th Cavalry against Chief Black
Kettle's people of the Cheyenne Nation. It occurred at Washita Creek on Thanksgiving Day.
From http://cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/dances_wolves.html
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A white US soldier would never defect and join an Indian tribe.
In the movie, the Sioux refused to use guns, but in reality they would have loved to use guns.
Ten Bears was actually the chief of a different tribe.
Kicking Bird was also not a medicine man, but a chief of a different tribe.
Goofs
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When Dunbar and the Sioux leave for the buffalo hunt, one of the boys riding a horse is wearing Converse
sneakers.
The piece of meat Dunbar is offering Two Socks varies in shape and size throughout the scene.
When the Sioux try to steal Cisco, Dunbar jumps into waist-deep water as he runs towards the corral. When he
gets back on shore, his pants are dry.
When Dunbar knocks himself out on the door frame, he cuts his head and starts to bleed. When he wakes up
the blood has run down the front of his face, when really it should have run down the side of his face since he
was lying horizontally.
The buffalo that charges Smiles a Lot is first seen with no arrows in him. When the buffalo is next shown
charging, there are three arrows in its side.
The Sequel
The Holy Road, a well-received sequel novel by Michael Blake, the author of both the original
Dances with Wolves novel and the movie screenplay, was published in 2001. It picks up eleven years
after Dances with Wolves. John Dunbar is still married to Stands with a Fist and they have three
children. Stands with a Fist and one of the children are kidnapped by a party of white rangers and
Dances with Wolves must mount a rescue mission. As of 2007, Blake was writing a film adaptation,
although Kevin Costner was not yet attached to the project. In the end, however, Costner stated he
would not take part in this production. Viggo Mortensen has been rumored to be attached to the
project, playing Dunbar. The title "Holy Road" refers to the transcontinental railroad, which is a
symbol of the clash of civilizations. The Holy Road was expected to begin production sometime in
2009.
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Going Native
'Avatar' And 'Dances
With Wolves': How
Similar Are They?
In both "Avatar" and "Wolves," it's not long before
the foreign white man takes a liking to the native
culture he inhabits. Through the use of his Na'vi
avatar, Sully frolics with the big blue humanoids,
learning their at-peace-with-the-land ways and their
language. So it is with Dunbar, who is taught the
Sioux tongue and begins to appreciate their
connection to nature. Sully and Dunbar bond with
their new friends around the campfire and learn to
hunt. Their relationships with animals — wolves and
crazy flying creatures — help establish their
connection to the new cultures. Each has a close
bond with a horse or horse-like creature. The Na'vi
and the Sioux eventually recognize them as part of
their tribe. The men, in turn, choose to live with the
tribe rather than their native people, who they
come to see as barbaric and disconnected from
nature.
We break down the similarities between the epic
movies.
By Eric Ditzian (@ericditzian)
Can't Help Falling in Love
Sully falls for Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Dunbar falls for
Stands With a Fist (Mary McDonnell). Both women
act as their man's translator. Both relationships are
taboo, so they must make love in secret. While the
romances arouse anger when they first come to
light, both tribes ultimately accept the pairings.
During their journeys of love and adventure, Sully
and Dunbar contribute voice-over narration, one
through a high-tech video journal, the other with
simple pen and paper.
Welcome to the Jungle
In "Avatar," Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) leaves
Earth behind in 2154 to jet off to distant Pandora, a
lushly untamed planet filled with danger and
intrigue and populated by an indigenous population
called the Na'vi. In "Wolves," John Dunbar (Kevin
Costner) leaves behind American civilization during
the Civil War to travel to the untouched Western
frontier, where Native American tribes still flourish.
Of course, both these native populations are under
threat from aggressive white colonialists.
Lead Us Into Battle
When the cruel industrialists decide to kick their
conflict with the Na'vi into overdrive, Sully rouses
his big blue brethren to fight the good fight. When
the Sioux find themselves facing off against a
nearby Native American tribe, Dunbar leads his
adopted people — guns a-blazin' — into battle.
Both the Na'vi and the Sioux triumph. At least
temporarily. You just know those evil white
colonialists are going to keep on fighting.
Scarred but Not Scared
Sully was a Marine until he lost the use of his legs.
Now he's confined to a wheelchair. Technology to
repair his injured spine exists, but the ex-solider
can't afford the procedure. Sully's superior promises
that if he completes his assignment, he'll be given
the surgery for free. Army Lieutenant Dunbar
suffers a severe leg injury that will require
amputation — until his superior intervenes and
hands over his personal doc to perform free surgery
and ensure Dunbar still has two working legs.
From http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629012/avatardances-with-wolves-how-similar-they.jhtml
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MOVIE REVIEW
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2 THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THIS MOVIE: ________________________________________
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2 THINGS I DISLIKED ABOUT THIS MOVIE: ____________________________________
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2 THINGS ABOUT THIS MOVIE THAT LOOKED HISTORICALLY ACCURATE _______
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2 THINGS ABOUT THIS MOVIE THAT LOOKED HISTORICALLY INACCURATE _____
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ON A SCALE OF 1-5 STARS, I WOULD GIVE THIS MOVIE __________ STARS,
BECAUSE ___________________________________________________________________
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I WOULD OR WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO A FRIEND BECAUSE ____
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