The “Squaw Drudge” ~ a prime index of savagism

Before reading this article my understanding of savagism was based off of my exposures to popular cultural (i.e. Disney’s Pocahontas, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Women). To be savagism, in my understanding prior to this reading, was to disposed and driven to war or violence; to be consumed with the natural order of the earth in all perspectives of one’s life. However after reading this article I have learned that perhaps savagism is different then the picture painted by the television shows I had watched.

David D. Smith’s article defines savagism by giving excerpts from a variety of writings and paintings from the time period of North America’s colonization. I am particularly interested in examining and discussing three quotes from this article that believe hit at the basics of Smith’s articles.

Meriwether Lewis in M’Vickar 1847 writes, “Where women can aid in procuring food, they are treated with more equality, and their importance is proportioned to the share which that in the labour.” Lewis is referring to the native women he observed in his expedition. Within the native’s society every person has a role, including women. Though to the White colonizer the role of a woman is not seen as labours, and the depiction of native men hunting and fishing seemed as idle play not hard work. Thus a conflict of gender roles began. The lady of leisure was what white women aspired to be as well as set the standard for a civilized nation. To put a woman to hard work was seen as savage and degrading in eyes of the White Westerner, but as a sign of respect and value in the native world.

Theodore Roosevelt (1936) had this view on civilization, “No high order of civilization is possible without the advancement and independence of women; and in fact, the present progress of each nation and people from the utmost degradation to the highest enlightenment, can be fairly and accurately measured by the condition of its women.” It would follow, that a woman that is consulted and an integral part of her society would indicate a higher level of civilization then a culture that had no use or purpose for the woman. In my interpretation of Roosevelt’s quote, a society that consults with its women is more advanced then one that caters or requires them to be idle.

Orison Marden (in Wyllie 1954) a leading publicist for the gospel of success believes, “The genius which has accomplished great things in the world, as a rule, is the genius for downright hard work, persistent drudgery. This is the genius that had transformed the world, and led civilization from the rude devices of the Hottentots to the glorious achievements of our own century.” Marden himself is endorsing hard work. Hard work from all citizens will bring the world success.

From these quotes it seems to follow that women are cherished when they fulfill their duties. The lady of leisure is a luxury role that many Western women could never attain because to survive and to uphold society everyone has a role to play. The elite few whom attain the status were, in the eyes of the native, the ones that deserve less respect and resources an example of culture clash.