De Tocqueville 895-907

The author goes into the wilderness, Saginaw, to see this country in a different way.  It is described that Saginaw is the furthest place away from their civilization and that the people they spoke with saw no reason for them to travel there into the wild.  I think they went to the furthest place among society in order to view all angles of this country, so they could see the perspective from both city life and from life in the wilderness.  He thinks the white Americans are greedy and selfish.  On page 904 he explains how the pioneers not only take advantage of the Indian Americans who do not understand the concept of money, but they also take advantage of travelers and charge them outrageously.  They need the white Americans for help with translation with the Indian Americans, and for shelter, but I don’t get the impression that they trusted nor thought very highly of them.  On the other hands I thought that they were more impressed with the Indian Americans.  They always describe how the Indians move around the forest like animals, in a good way, in the sense that they are nimble and strong.  They also comment that at first glance they are frightening with blank but angry faces, but when you show kindness to them they have very friendly smiles.  On page 898 there was an Indian who followed them while they were on their horses relentlessly and they became frightened of this man.  They finally stopped to find out what he was doing and when the Indian saw them put their hands on their guns he smiled to show he was friendly and their opinion immediately changed.  They see these Indians as affable residents of the forest.  Initially they are fearful but when they realize their good intentions, the mood lightens.  The Indian Americans are solely independent and only use the white Americans to get the trinkets and “extras” they desire.  On the other hand the white Americans need the Indian Americans for guidance among the wilderness, and for other purposes like food.  The Indians don’t really need the white Americans, but help them for small gifts.  The white Americans on the other hand depend on the Indians for many necessities.  The author is very impressed with the wilderness.  He explains that the wilderness is where life and death meets face to face.  He means that while there are many fallen trees, there are also new beginnings of life among the forests.  He relates this experience in the forest to being in the country in Europe.  In Europe, even when you’re in the forest you can hear distant sounds of city life, like bells, but in America there is often nothing to be heard.  You can yell and no one would hear you.  I think that as outsiders they are intrigued by how independent the people who live among the wilderness are  in comparison to the people in the cities act.  The people that they encounter on this part of their travel seem to all be accommodating and friendly, but also note that the white Americans are quick to make a quick profit from you when you are traveling.