jjares reviewed Narcissa Whitman: The Life and Legacy of the Missionary Killed by Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest on + 3294 more book reviews
This is the story of missionary work done by Christian denominations and Catholic priests in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington and Oregon. The Catholic priests began working in the area in about 1830, mostly arriving from Canada and Europe. In about 1834, the American Methodists and groups of missionaries from the Presbyterian and Dutch Reform churches tried their hand at helping the indigenous peoples 'earn heaven.'
Narcissa Whitman and her husband, Dr. Marcus Whitman, would become some of the most well-known missionaries, for unfortunate reasons. Along the Oregon Trail, they became an important staging post for entering the wilder regions beyond. At first, they gave out medicines, food, and other help to the Cayuse Indians. But Dr. Whitman became disenchanted with giving material things and withheld them. This led to misunderstandings and distrust.
One important thing that this book explains is that Narcissa really wanted to be a missionary; she was trained as a teacher and saw it as her calling to help the Indians. She had a long and arduous difficulty getting permission to go to the Oregon Territory. The missionary leaders were doubtful of any woman's ability to handle the hardships. At the outset, Narcissa had a good attitude about her role; however, neither she nor her husband bent to be more accepting. They expected the Indians to learn their language; they made no effort to learn that of the Indians. Once Narcissa's daughter accidentally died, Narcissa's attitude changed and she became more rigid and distant.
This is a story about people who were so blinded by their goal (converting the Indians) that they did not see their obligations to other human beings. For their blindness and rigidity, they paid the ultimate price.
Narcissa Whitman and her husband, Dr. Marcus Whitman, would become some of the most well-known missionaries, for unfortunate reasons. Along the Oregon Trail, they became an important staging post for entering the wilder regions beyond. At first, they gave out medicines, food, and other help to the Cayuse Indians. But Dr. Whitman became disenchanted with giving material things and withheld them. This led to misunderstandings and distrust.
One important thing that this book explains is that Narcissa really wanted to be a missionary; she was trained as a teacher and saw it as her calling to help the Indians. She had a long and arduous difficulty getting permission to go to the Oregon Territory. The missionary leaders were doubtful of any woman's ability to handle the hardships. At the outset, Narcissa had a good attitude about her role; however, neither she nor her husband bent to be more accepting. They expected the Indians to learn their language; they made no effort to learn that of the Indians. Once Narcissa's daughter accidentally died, Narcissa's attitude changed and she became more rigid and distant.
This is a story about people who were so blinded by their goal (converting the Indians) that they did not see their obligations to other human beings. For their blindness and rigidity, they paid the ultimate price.
