Question

Read the excerpt from "An Indian's View of Indian Affairs." Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake. I will tell you all about our people, and then you can judge whether an Indian is a man or not. Which central idea of the speech is most supported by this excerpt? The Nez Percé people seek to preserve their valued cultural traditions. The Nez Percé people hope to reduce conflict between the Indians. The Nez Percé people adhere strongly to human values and morals. The Nez Percé people want the new settlers to better understand them.

Answer 1

Answer:

The central idea of the speech that is most supported by this excerpt is:

D. The Nez Percé people want the new settlers to better understand them.

Explanation:

Firstly, the speaker has addressed how some people in the audience misunderstand Native Americans:

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal.

Of course, a human being is not like a wild animal. And that is what the speaker intends to show. In order to do so, he/she will tell the audience about the Nez Percé people:

I will tell you all about our people, and then you can judge whether an Indian is a man or not.

The purpose is to have the audience, the new settlers, better understand Native Americans. By telling them about his/her people, the speaker expects them to see Native Americans from a different, maybe kinder, more empathetic and humane perspective. As we know, throughout history, several colonizing nations used civilization as an excuse to subjugate peoples around the world. They would claim the peoples they were killing, enslaving and forcing their culture onto needed to be civilized, even if forcefully.

Answer 2

Answer:

D) The Nez Percé people want the new settlers to better understand them.

Explanation: