It did bother me to find out that our government wanted to get rid of the Native Americans because they were different. I have noticed that fear is an important part of the book and one of the major differences between the cultures of the whites and Apaches. I think that as Americans we fear things that are different because of our status as a world power and the threat that our status could be altered due to a group of people different from us. In other words we have a chip on our shoulder (as a nation) and fear that our way of life might have to change. But I feel that change is part of the normal cycle of things and is required for a government and its people to remain within the current times. I know that today the people who are being feared are immigrants, especially those of Hispanic origins. I think our nation fears them because of their numbers and the fact that they are willing to work so hard for meager wages while many Americans have begun to lose their jobs to these immigrants. This trend has led to the current talks about what to do about illegal immigrants. Who knows what decision will be made but it does look like Hispanic immigrants especially those of Mexican heritage could be sent back as “prisoners” or illegals much like was done to the Apaches and many other groups of Native Americans.
I hadn’t really thought that much about the development of Willie’s character but that was a great way to incorporate him in the story without tampering with the historical references in the book. But I think that Willie is a great character who children will relate to well. He is so curious about what is going on around him and he explains what is going on so a younger reader will be able to understand. I also think that children will admire Willie for being so brave in spite of the scary circumstances surrounding him. I also thought something neat about Willie’s character is how little he judges the “White eyes” that are holding him as a prisoner. He does not fear them in the same way that the whites fear the Apaches.