Set during 17th century within the colonization of New France, Black Robe written by Brian Moore, depicts the interactions between Jesuits spreading the word of their faith and Native Americans desperately holding on to their traditions. The novel shares the journey of Father Laforgue and his assistant Daniel traveling with an Algonkian tribe to a destination just beyond a set of rapids. The two unlikely travelers are on their way to an established Jesuit mission site settled amongst a Native American tribe. Over the course of the novel, faiths are tested and traditions are questioned when suspicion sets in and fevers takeover. As individuals of different religions and backgrounds intermingle, ideas and views shift when new lifestyles are introduced
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The pair begin to notice that they are considerable outsiders amongst the tribe. The Native Americans mock the Black Robe’s faith and social norms, as it is not their day to day living. The Algonkian believed that all Europeans were centered around monetary items and only care about what they own, not about what is around them in nature as the Native Americans do. Father Laforgue and Daniel catch on to the way of the tribe but feel hopeless as Laforgue states, “They speak as dogs would speak, if they had tongues,’ Father Bourque had said about their filthy banter. ‘Remember it is not meant badly. We must ignore it. They will not change” (Moore 38). Father Laforgue and Daniel feel the foul language and actions of the tribe are uncalled for and ungodly, they find it disgraceful and rude even if it is not meant that way coming from a tribe member. Both men seem to be set in their European ways at this stage in the story as they choose to just ignore the way the Algonkian live and focus on their travels. The two do not seem to embrace the way others live, they only think about how their lifestyles are right and others are wrong. Throughout this story it is evident that there is a collision of two cultures in spiritual beliefs and …show more content…
He slowly slips away from his own beliefs and culture when he begins to interact with the Native Americans significantly more by hunting with them and creating conversations between himself and tribe members. Daniel becomes enamored by an Algonkian girl by the name of Annuka. This is one of the first actions that takes Daniel away from his own faith as Annuka and him have sexual intercourse out of wedlock, going against his faith and what Father Laforgue wanted for him. While traveling the tribe’s chief has visions of the journey, that he interprets into a prophecy that they must follow as part of their religion and daily ways. If the prophecy were not to be fulfilled the Algonkian believe bad events will occur as the visions are thought to be a destiny. Anunka persuades Daniel to carry out the prophecy for the greater good, “You go with him and you destroy the prophecy. Don’t be stupid, Iwanchou. We will go on foot. In two nights we will reach the village. Nicanis will be there before us. And the dream will be obeyed” (Moore 204). In this instance he begins to accept the Native American’s faith and customs, even though it is completely opposite from Catholicism. Daniel and Father Laforgue at first did not believe in the Native American prophecies and traditions, but as
The pair begin to notice that they are considerable outsiders amongst the tribe. The Native Americans mock the Black Robe’s faith and social norms, as it is not their day to day living. The Algonkian believed that all Europeans were centered around monetary items and only care about what they own, not about what is around them in nature as the Native Americans do. Father Laforgue and Daniel catch on to the way of the tribe but feel hopeless as Laforgue states, “They speak as dogs would speak, if they had tongues,’ Father Bourque had said about their filthy banter. ‘Remember it is not meant badly. We must ignore it. They will not change” (Moore 38). Father Laforgue and Daniel feel the foul language and actions of the tribe are uncalled for and ungodly, they find it disgraceful and rude even if it is not meant that way coming from a tribe member. Both men seem to be set in their European ways at this stage in the story as they choose to just ignore the way the Algonkian live and focus on their travels. The two do not seem to embrace the way others live, they only think about how their lifestyles are right and others are wrong. Throughout this story it is evident that there is a collision of two cultures in spiritual beliefs and …show more content…
He slowly slips away from his own beliefs and culture when he begins to interact with the Native Americans significantly more by hunting with them and creating conversations between himself and tribe members. Daniel becomes enamored by an Algonkian girl by the name of Annuka. This is one of the first actions that takes Daniel away from his own faith as Annuka and him have sexual intercourse out of wedlock, going against his faith and what Father Laforgue wanted for him. While traveling the tribe’s chief has visions of the journey, that he interprets into a prophecy that they must follow as part of their religion and daily ways. If the prophecy were not to be fulfilled the Algonkian believe bad events will occur as the visions are thought to be a destiny. Anunka persuades Daniel to carry out the prophecy for the greater good, “You go with him and you destroy the prophecy. Don’t be stupid, Iwanchou. We will go on foot. In two nights we will reach the village. Nicanis will be there before us. And the dream will be obeyed” (Moore 204). In this instance he begins to accept the Native American’s faith and customs, even though it is completely opposite from Catholicism. Daniel and Father Laforgue at first did not believe in the Native American prophecies and traditions, but as