During Hemingway’s lifetime it was not unusual for both women and Native Americans to be disrespected and treated with cruelty only found in sexist and racist behavior. When Hemingway writes Indian Camp he is not breaking the social barriers with the written words but instead with the underlying story being told. Indian camp is a story about the violation of a young Native American woman as a result of racism in the white men treating her and sexism in the men of both nationalities. Although some may view the doctor’s procedure on the Native American woman as a “miracle” or “the work of a true professional” it does not diminish the fact that the doctor was unprepared to do the necessary job. With no doubt it was an incredible procedure, but
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Although more women were entering the work force and becoming independent, the general populous remained housewives. From a man’s standpoint in the early 20th century, the actions of the men around the Native American woman may seem normal. Unfortunately the men treat her with little respect and compassion. Before the doctor even begins his procedure, he states that he doesn’t “her screams are not important” and “I don’t hear them because they are not important.” Rather than being comforting and aiding the Native American woman during the procedure, the doctor neglects her and her needs. If the doctor has a sexist mindset even when providing life-saving care, how can he truly perform the procedure to the best of his ability? Not even the Native American men have respect for her. While the doctor worked, Uncle George and three Native American men held the woman down to keep her still. During the procedure she bit George and one of the men laughed. Rather than being concerned that she bit George he could only find humor in how she was acting. It did not matter the pain the woman was going through, he was still able to laugh at her. Just like racism, sexism is still as prominent in today’s world as it was in the early 1900s leaving women to scratch and bite for some
Although more women were entering the work force and becoming independent, the general populous remained housewives. From a man’s standpoint in the early 20th century, the actions of the men around the Native American woman may seem normal. Unfortunately the men treat her with little respect and compassion. Before the doctor even begins his procedure, he states that he doesn’t “her screams are not important” and “I don’t hear them because they are not important.” Rather than being comforting and aiding the Native American woman during the procedure, the doctor neglects her and her needs. If the doctor has a sexist mindset even when providing life-saving care, how can he truly perform the procedure to the best of his ability? Not even the Native American men have respect for her. While the doctor worked, Uncle George and three Native American men held the woman down to keep her still. During the procedure she bit George and one of the men laughed. Rather than being concerned that she bit George he could only find humor in how she was acting. It did not matter the pain the woman was going through, he was still able to laugh at her. Just like racism, sexism is still as prominent in today’s world as it was in the early 1900s leaving women to scratch and bite for some