Creating the White Indian

Zusatztext

The encounter of two different ethnic groups always leads to a change for both of them. This is what happened when Native Americans met Euro-Americans. While positive cultural fusions arised, the refusal of differences increased the repulsion towards "the other" and created stereotypes. White people's non-acceptance of Native Americans' cultural identity led to the creation of the "White Indian", a new figure built on a simultaneous idealization and fear of the other. But can ethnic boundaries really be so deep? Forrest Carter's "The Education of Little Tree" casts a shadow on the existence of real differences among ethnic groups. In both cultural and literary fields, the search for authenticity unites and divides public opinion once more.

Autorenportrait

Deborah Chiurato was born in Bassano del Grappa, Northern Italy, in 1987. She began to study English at the age of 7, and always showed great interest towards American culture. At the University of Padua she studied African-American as well as Native American cultures. She has obtained her M.A. degree in American Literature in 2012.

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