Like Many Native Americans Summary

Kenny like many other British doctors, administrations,engineers and educators, believed it was their duty to bring civilization and modernity to the Indian culture, but he learns of the Indian culture and their ways to realize that the ways of the west aren’t going to be much help there. When Kenny questions Ruku on why she doesn’t just leave the dung to fertilize the earth, he is assuming that she and other village women are simply ignorant to modern agricultural practices but Ruku surprises him by stating that they know it will help the soil but when she asks him what other substitute there was to the dung, Kenny kept silent. Kenny had nothing to say because he knew that the dung is for household to protect it from the elements, it is also mixed with hay to create fuel for the people and it gets rid of ants and mice. Even when Kenny accepts some of the Indian culture he can’t help but to feel frustrated when Ruku and her people …show more content…
But after a long day of work, Ruku was able to witness the emotional and physical toll his work was giving him. “I said no more tonight. Did you hear me? Do you think I’m made of iron?” is what Kenny expressed to her. It shows that even Kenny can become weak when witnessing extreme poverty, pain, suffering and illness. When Ruku says that “they all are in god’s hands” Kenny finally understood that this is how Ruku and her people deal with their situations. To simply accept it and find a solution for it instead of fighting the poverty like a westerner would. He may become irritated at Ruku and her people for surrendering to destitution like that but the Indian culture believe that they should endure it and get their spirit cleansed. So Kenny accepts and decline some of the Indian culture