First installment
http://sweatercursed.blogspot.ca/2012/03/writing-meet-pauline-johnson.html#links
Second installment
http://sweatercursed.blogspot.ca/2012/03/writing-meet-pauline-johnson_27.html#links
Third and final installment...
Through her entire career she did not stray from her goal. She firmly believed that ‘White race and Red are one if they are Canadian Born.’ (Betty Keller, p. 197) Her own performances were a fine balance between two worlds. She wore a native costume and recited her unconventional native poems during the first part of her performance. She wore a ball gown and recited traditional poetry during the second part. It always remained clear in Pauline’s heart who she was. Upon, ‘overhearing…”She’s just like a white woman.” Pauline snapped angrily, “Is that intended as a compliment.” ‘ (Grant MacEwen, p. 68) Pauline was very proud of her legal Mohawk status.
A much more appreciated compliment came from ‘a solider who had fought in the North-West Rebellion… Deeply moved by ‘A Cry from an Indian Wife’, he said, “When I heard you recite that poem, I never felt so ashamed in my life of the part I took in it!” ‘ (Betty Keller, p. 60) A quote from Pauline’s poem ‘The Cattle-Thiefs’
‘What have you left to us of land, what have you left of game
What have you brought but evil, and curses since you came?
How have you paid us for our game? How paid us for our land?
By a book, to save our souls from the sins you brought in your own hand.’
(Margaret Harry, p. 150)
Pauline did not shy away from using her poetry to express what was in her heart. ‘She could and did bring protest and unmistakable anger to verses in which she spoke for her fellow natives… She reminded those of the invading race of their aggressions.’ (Grant MacEwen, p. 72) Yet she marketed her message in a package that attracted her target white audience. This was Pauline’s true genius. It is worth noting that, ‘the resentment against imposed stereotypes and the suffering resulting from a disrupted way of life which Johnson’s work expresses remain central themes in Canadian literature today.’ (Margaret Harry, p. 152)
Until her death on March 7, 1913, Pauline educated white audiences on the wisdom of the native ways. In 1910 she began to employ techniques to conserve her energy. Eileen Maquire appeared with her since there was little hope of Pauline carrying a full program… (She read) her prose selections, especially the Capilano legends, instead of reciting poetry. On other occasions, she gave ‘informal talks’ on the legends and traditions of the Mohawk people.’ (Marcus Van Steen, p. 253)She remained committed to her goal of achieving unity among whites and Indigenous until the very end.
Bibliography
Gorham Harriet “Johnson, Emily Pauline” In The Canadian Encyclopaedia Volume 2, 1988 Hurting Publishers Ltd., Edmonton
Harry, Margaret “Literature in English by Native Canadian (Indian and Inuit)” In Studies In Canadian Literature Volume 10, Numbers 1-2 1985 University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick
Keller, Betty Pauline: A Biography of Pauline Johnson 1981 Douglas & McIntyre, Vancouver
MacEwen, Grant “Pauline Johnson: Princess” In ...And Mighty Women Too: Stories of Notable Western Canadian Women 1976 Western Producer Prairie Books, Saskatoon
Van Steen, Marcus Pauline Johnson: Her Life and Work 1973 Compton Printing Limited, London
