Kindergarten and Band

Kindergarten Class Picture

"What a picture this is of the self-sacrifice of these good sisters! A dozen of them wash, feed, clothe (and make the clothes), teach, do everything for 125 helpless youngsters."

The author of this image reinforces the colonial gaze many of the Sisters and Jesuits held towards children they were suppose to be nurturing. Language like "helpless" and "self-sacrifice" prove many missionaries did not consider the Native American's to be self-sufficient in many tasks they never asked for help in such as "making the clothes" that, in actuality, aimed to assimilate the Native peoples. McNickle gives us that critical lens to interpret what may have been going on within the minds of Native children forced to attend classes like this one. 

School Band

Music and instruments become an interesting theme within the novel for Archilde. The reason he leaves the reservation is to play the violin in Portland, Oregon. The violin becomes a tool of Max Leon and Father Cristadore who both wich to keep Archilde on the reservation for different reasons. When Max Leon forces Archilde to attend frequent music lessons with Father Cristadore, McNickle presents the reader with another obstacle that attempts to "surround" our protagonist.