Jeremiah Johnson & Culture the Essay

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Jeremiah has a wedding that symbolizes the union of American and American Indian customs; a mix of the two very different peoples. After settling down and creating an ideal life, Jeremiah is forced into the U.S. Army, and leaves his cottage in order to do what the 'authority' wants. Against his wishes, the Calvary goes through sacred Blackfoot land, and as a result, Jeremiah's family is killed.

This scene is very shocking, but should not have been surprising to Jeremiah. He chose to forget his lessons of mountainhood that he had learned, and he did not respect the local people. As a result of this, and his attachment to the possessions that he had brought to the land, he was unable to conquer the rugged territory that he had first faced at the beginning of the movie, bringing about the lessons of life and hardship in the American West.

Jeremiah Johnson has a reputation that grows as he chops down every Crow tribe enemy that stands in his way. Eventually, he learns that his heroic deeds are most respected by his enemies themselves, bringing into focus a moment of culture clash. As Johnson believes he is getting vengeance in an American-style Indian kill, the Crow tribe in turn provides the culture clash of the warrior-people vs. The economic-people.

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The Crow do not respect the ways of life of the average American, but they definitely respect the prowess of a great American hunter. As this happens, Jeremiah realizes that he himself has become more and more Indian, as he has adopted the lifestyle of a warrior tribesman.

In the final scene of the movie, Jeremiah Johnson comes face-to-face with the leader of the Crow, Paints-His-Shirt-Red. Jeremiah immediately thinks to kill his archenemy to exact his final vengeance, but then something interesting happens. His mountain training, and Indian-style killing streak has made him respect the chief more, despite the tragedy that has befallen Johnson's family. Paints-His-Shirt-Red offers the traditional Indian peace offering, which is an open face palm. Jeremiah returns it, affirming his acceptance as an Indian himself.

The movie closes with this final scene of Jeremiah Johnson, as an American who has adopted the Indian's ways. The movie leaves the audience to face the cultural aspects of the 1970s, a time when the problems of the Native American tribes in the United States were still feeling the pain of hundreds of years of discrimination. Special treatment for the Indian nations was added to the laws of the United States, and finally, peace between the two peoples could continue to make another step towards….....

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