Passage - General Questions

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Passage Discussion

VIEWSTAMP Analysis:

There are three main Viewpoints discussed here:

• 1. The view of historians as given in the first paragraph that Cherokees were compelled to assimilate Euro American culture in the 1820s;
  
  2. McLoughlin’s view that the Cherokee themselves actively and continually reshaped their culture (from paragraphs 2 and 3);
  
  3. The author’s view that McLoughlin overlooks earlier cultural influences (aside from the missionaries) that contributed to acculturalization among the Cherokee.

The Structure of the passage is as follows:

• Paragraph One: The first paragraph gives the traditional view of Euro-historians: missionaries (and others), as well as the United States government, imposed certain beliefs upon the Cherokee tribes.
  
  Paragraphs Two and Three: These two paragraphs discuss McLoughlin’s viewpoint and provide the reasons behind it. McLoughlin argues that the changes in Cherokee culture were the result of the Cherokee actively seeking to assimilate certain beliefs of the missionaries while still maintaining important aspect of traditional Cherokee culture. Essentially McLoughlin believes the Cherokee saw that the missionaries could provide certain skills/advantages and so these were embraced in an opportunistic fashion.
  
  Paragraph Four: This paragraph introduces the author’s view: McLoughlin is both right and wrong. McLoughlin is correct in recognizing the shifting and evolving nature of culture, however McLoughlin also fails to understand the potentially undesired influence of 18th century White resident traders and neighbors.

The author’s Tone is largely neutral until the final paragraph. That is, he/she simply presents the traditional view and contrasts it with McLoughlin, and then in the final paragraph provides a tempered criticism (tempered by several praising statements) or McLoughlin’s beliefs.

The Main Point of this passage can be found in the final paragraph where the author states that McLoughlin’s work/views are largely correct, although somewhat limited in that they do not consider certain important aspects.