Impressions of an Indian Childhood

This was definitely a sad story. I thought it was ironic that on page 1008, Bonnin states, "She taught me no fear save that of intruding myself upon others", yet in the end, her lack of fear seems to contribute to the sadness she feels in leaving her mother to be in the "hands of strangers whom my mother did not fully trust" (1019). It seems as if Bonnin is writing about her memories of a happy child and the story ends where her new, uncertain life will begin. The main message she seems to be trying to relay is that as a child, she was so excited about going to live with the "palefaces" and pick apples from an apple tree, yet she had no idea what kind of effect leaving her mother and culture behind would have on her. She was so excited about going with the missionaries that she failed to recognize the importance of the bond she had with her mother and neighbors and I think she feels as though she lost a huge part of herself in the move she made. She recalls all these happy memories and probably feels extremely guilty looking back, realizing the significance of the "decision" she had made. I don't necessarily understand why her mother allowed her go to with the missionaries, as she herself did not trust them and told Bonnin not to believe their lies.

The title of this story is important to me as "Impressions of an Indian Childhood" seems to hint toward the existence of a non-Indian childhood. Bonnin seems to be writing this story with the attitude as though her life had changed significantly (obviously) after she went East with the missionaries. She takes the time to specify her age at key events and even says, "The first turning away from the easy, natural flow of my life occurred in an early spring" when referring to when she left her mother (1017). She remembers her childhood prior to leaving with the missionaries as being "easy" and seems to have many vivid, happy memories. She more than likely regrests leaving and feels naive for ever believing that leaving her family and culture behind would be a great experience. If I had to choose one main idea through reading this story, I would have to say that it is to value one's homeland, customs, and culture as Bonnin appeared to be torn between her feelings toward her childhood with her mother and her desire to go East and become educated by the missionaries. Her story focuses heavily on her relationship with her mother so I believe this story deals with the importance of family and never wanting to neglect one's way of life.