Journal #13

From someone viewing Zitkalas life from a far, it would seem as if she did receive the American dream as in the end she learned english and was able to attend college and was ultimately a successful individual. She did receive an education and was very successful in proving the "white man" wrong when they discriminated against her as she was a very successful in the oratorical contests. But I would not exactly say that Zatkala believed she received the American dream. Ever since she was torn from her mother she felt scrutinized an even at times "lost her spirit" like she described when her long Indian hair was "shingled". I feel that the best proof that Zatkala never did feel at ease about her decisions and about here success was how she expressed herself in the very end of the story in saying: "The little taste of victory did not satisfy the hunger in my heart". Even through all the success she has endured by receiving a college education and in winning these oratorical contests in the "white mans" world. She never felt at peace because essentially she had to change herself and rid herself of the Indian she once held so dear (being her past self) in order to obtain the person who she was today. She simply could not be granted the best of both worlds.