If a Lion Could Talk
If a Lion Could Talk by Mildred Walker, published by U of Nebraska Press in 2000, is a first edition novel that spans 275 pages. The story follows Harriet Ryegate, the daughter of Massachusetts Puritans, as she ventures into the wilderness beyond the upper Missouri with her husband, a Baptist minister. Their mission to convert the Blackfoot Indians to Christianity leads to unexpected transformations, particularly for Marcus Ryegate, who becomes infatuated with an Indian woman, revealing the complexities of cultural encounters.
Readers will find a deep exploration of the effects of wilderness on those accustomed to civilization, as Harriet documents her experiences in her journal. The narrative delves into themes of communication and misunderstanding, set against the backdrop of pre-Civil War America. Through Harriet’s perspective, the book examines the profound changes that occur when individuals confront the unfamiliar, highlighting the intricate dynamics between different cultures. This edition offers a thoughtful reflection on the historical and personal implications of such encounters.
Official synopsis Publisher
Harriet Ryegate, the proper daughter of Massachusetts Puritans, is the first white woman to go far into the wilderness beyond the upper Missouri. With her husband, a Baptist minister, she seeks to convert the Blackfoot Indians to Christianity. But it is the Ryegates who are changed by their “journey into strangeness.” Marcus Ryegate returns to Massachusetts obsessed by a beautiful Indian woman. For sermonizing about her, he pays a heavy price. ø Harriet, one of Mildred Walker?s most fully realized characters, writes in her journal about “the effect of the Wilderness on civilized persons who are accustomed to live in the world of words.” If a Lion Could Talk reveals the tragic lack of communication that stretches from Massachusetts to Missouri and beyond in the years before the Civil War?and the appalling heart of darkness that is close to home.
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