The Birchbark House was an interesting book to read. It paralleled Little House on the Prairie in a few ways. This story is told from the perspective of the Native Americans and allows the readers to see their point of view of manifest destiny. It shows the struggles they went through on "the prairie," the ways they stayed alive, and how they cultivated the land. Apparently, Mrs. Scott was wrong when she implied that they just walked around and didn't farm. The Native Americans were doing what wealthy people do now, going from their summer home to their winter home and vice versa.
The Birchbark House is the story about a young girl named Omakayas and how she deals with life, especially when a stranger infects them with small pox's. As I read this book I kept thinking of the differences between Omakayas and Laura, from Little House on the Prairie. The responsibilities and chores that Omakayas has are so much more than anything Laura had. Laura never had to protect the corn from crows or help tan a moose hide. I also noticed that the women in The Birchbark House did a lot of the work Pa would have done on the prairie. They were the ones that got the summer and winter house ready, not Deydey. Deydey was actually absent most of the year as Omakayas points out.
I was disappointed when they got small pox's. I felt betrayed for them and even more upset when the baby died from it. I don't believe Laura would have been able to handle an out break of small pox's. She was not able to handle malaria alone. I found Omakayas bravery fantastic and interesting that she was rescued as an infant by Old Tallow. This story was a lot sadder than Little House on the Prairie.
I think the concept of bravery in these two novels is interesting to explore. I feel Omakaya's bravery is much more overt and natural; whereas, Laura's bravery is somewhat looked upon as meddlesome or anxious. Laura's bravery takes the form of curiosity at times - like when she looks out of the wagon as they cross the river. Whether this is disobedient or just not a smart thing to do, I think curiosity can be a form of bravery. For that matter, Pa and even Mr. Edwards take on the overtly bravado roles in "Little House." I like the contrast, though, of having the child character, Omakaya, in this role. It opens up new possibilities for children, not only in novels, but also in life.
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