The School Days of an Indian Girl

The school days of an Indian Girl by Zitkala-Sa displays a sad story of an Indian girl who faced many challenges and hardships in her journey to reach college. Through boarding school in her childhood, she definitely did not experience anything near resembling an American dream. In the school taught by white women, the little Indian girl suffered so many hardships that is rare for American kids to encounter. She was mistreated, yelled at, physically punished, kept on a strict schedule, and was forced to have a certain appearance and lifestyle that was molded by the whites.

This one particular sentence stood out as so shocking to me that I could never imagine having to deal with. "I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit." If anyone ever cut my hair or did anything to my appearance against my will, I can't imagine how violated I would feel. This is definitely not an example of living the American dream, because she had absolutely no freedom and no say for herself.

As she progresses in life, she advances and accomplishes the achievement of being fortunate enough to attend college. To me, college is one of the most current icons of the American dream since it's a privilege that is so common in today's world that people pursue in order to lead a successful life and get a good job. In this sense, the Indian girl was definitely experiencing the American dream.

"Later, the decision of the judges awarded me the first place. Then there was a mad uproar in the hall, where my classmates sang and shouted my name at the top of their lungs; and the disappointed students howled and brayed in fearfully dissonant tin trumpets. In this excitement, happy students rushed forward to offer their congratulations. And I could not conceal a smile when they wished to escort me in a procession to the students' parlor, where all were going to calm themselves." This was truly one of the first times the girl felt included and happy with her life. She had succeeded and accomplished something very great that she could take great pride in. She finally felt accepted and like one of the others in this moment.