THE ROLE OF CONFLICT IN “BLUE WINDS DANCING”

In the story, “Blue Winds Dancing,” by Tom Whitecloud, the plot is driven by the conflict the narrator faces. This conflict is both internal and external as the narrator searches for his identity and copes with society, respectively. Moreover, the conflict is rooted in the narrator’s opposing views of the two cultures to which he belongs. Therefore, only by a reconciliation of these views will that the narrator finally resolve his conflict.
At the beginning of the story, the narrator presents his views about life. He describes the peace that he feels when he is back home in Wisconsin. However, he also mentions how such peace is completely lost in the everyday life of a big city. It is evident that the narrator has been educated and has lived in a big city for a long time, at least long enough to judge the quality of life in such an environment. The narrator expresses dissatisfaction with society, especially “white” society. He bluntly states: “I am tired. I am weary of trying to keep up this bluff of being civilized. Being civilized means trying to do everything you don’t want to, never doing anything you want to.” He makes a clear contrast between white society and Native American society. Clearly, the narrator feels as if he is not fit for white society; after all, he is a Native American. It is this discontent with his present environment and his present place in society that creates the conflict facing the narrator. More simply put, the narrator is in search of an identity. Consequently, the narrator takes a radical decision. In a desperate attempt to find his true identity, the narrator decides to go back to Wisconsin. He is filled with joy as he sees all of the places on the way to Wisconsin. He remembers every town and every stop. Furthermore, he admires the natural beauty that fills the scenery. The narrator’s love of nature and nonconformity with white society both serve to build the idea that the narrator is, in fact, in touch with his Native American roots. He seems to agree with most of his culture’s philosophies and beliefs. Indeed, when the narrator is on his way home is the transition from white society, in which the narrator does not feel comfortable, to his Native American society, which he was born into but eventually left.
Notwithstanding, the narrator is hesitant and anxious about going back home. Especially because he is a young man, he feels as if he does not fit into Native American society either. The narrator says: “We [young Indians] just don’t seem to fit in anywhere, certainly not among the whites, and not among the older people.” Additionally, the narrator says: “Suddenly, I am afraid… afraid of what my father will say, afraid of being looked on as a stranger by my own people.” Naturally, the narrator feels the pressure of being a minority. At first, he wants to be like everyone else, to be a part of white society. Then, he realizes that such society is not what he imagines it to be. As a result, he wants to reconcile with his roots, this time appreciating them as his own. Nevertheless, the narrator is afraid of what his father and his society will say, especially after he had left them to enter white society. However, both his father and his society take him in as if nothing had happened. Only by experiencing white society does the narrator come to appreciate the richness of his own society. Therefore, he becomes determined to take back what he has lost. At the end of the story, no one has to tell him or to show him anything; the narrator himself realizes that he truly is a Native American. He finally accepts his culture. Indeed, the narrator has gone through a moral reconciliation that not only reunites him with his roots, but also reconciles his roots with the new life he is about to begin.
In conclusion, the narrator faces an inner conflict with his lack of identity and an outer conflict with society. Although he is afraid, the narrator decides to go back home to reclaim his true identity, the identity he lost when he left his home. By finally asserting that indeed he is a Native American, the narrator accomplishes the purpose of his trip and, more importantly, resolves the conflict that has been tearing him apart for too long.