“Eulogy on King Philip”

William Apess and King Philip

William Apess published “Eulogy on King Philip” in 1836 about his encounters living with the native people. The English settlers depicted King Philip as a ruthless, defiant tyrant who was at the frontline of the war that resulted in the deaths of many Americans. The English honored King Philip's death by burying his face in the dirt. King Philip, on the other hand, was portrayed by William Apes as a nobleman ready to fight for his country. According to him, the war was a direct example of the legal injustices and prejudices he and other Native Americans encountered at the time.

The Plight of Native Americans

During the colonial era, the USA government ruled in favor of the removal of Red Indians in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The Eulogy made public the plight of Native Americans and how unjustly they were treated.

Context

The speech was quoted by the writer right after he condemned the evils done by the English colonialists. The colonialists had taken away the natives’ hunting grounds and the dead people were dug up, showing disregard for their feelings. The laws put in place were also disgraceful as they invalidated the natives as citizens in their own country. The foundation of enslaving the people was laid out in the first Legislation which led to taking away the people’s rights for almost two centuries. The writer also stated that all the charters which were made had the intention of driving red Indians away from the states, or subjected them to demeaning regulations which condemned them to miserable lives. The people were then faced with a dilemma, to get used to their suffering and let the colonialists continue to mistreat them or to stand up and fight against injustices carried out against them. Would they listen to people who told them that they could not live with Christians therefore it was necessary for them to be secluded?

The President's Speech

The speech quoted was given by the President of the USA, an English settler, to the Red Indians as a way of telling them why they have to leave their home. He tells them that their land will be used to generate income that would pay off the country’s debt. He goes ahead to tell them that they should not interact with civilized people since they would poison their minds. The president then tells the people that he was driving them out in order to protect them from the civilized people yet there was a danger of being attacked by lions. The people are then told that their land was promised to someone else thirty or twenty years earlier without their consent. In his last statement of the extract, he makes it clear to the people that they would not be protected by the government since that it how things had been done before. After this extract, the writer then tells the readers that there have not been cases of the Native Americans mistreating the people who treated them well. He then said that everyone should be given their dues. The true heroes of the society, however few they are, should be celebrated for their works. He also said that war should be declared on the degrading and corrupt principles which deny individuals their rights, simply because of their skin color and ignorance.

Cruelty

The theme of cruelty is clearly displayed in the quoted passage. First, the natives are told that they have to leave their country, not because they have done anything wrong but due to the fact that the land has been sold. “We want your land and must have them and we will have them.” The act of driving people from their own land is a clear symbol of the cruelty that the Red Indians went through under the rule of the English settlers/ colonialists. They are also expected to leave since the government has a right to do whatever it wants to the people. “We have a right to do with you as we please… you shall have no protection from us.” Second, the people are told that they do not need to cry as a result of that decision. “You need not cry, you must go.” The president is also not concerned for the people’s safety after they are forced to leave their home. “You must go, even if the lions devour you.” The cruelty in this statement cannot be underestimated. He called the natives his children yet he did not care whether they were attacked by wild animals in their search for a new home. Surely, it is only obvious that an individual protects his/ her children from danger yet the president of the USA is determined to subject his people to immense danger.

Figurative Language

There are various cases of the use of figurative language in order to show that the English settlers indeed mistreated the Native Americans. The president referred to the natives as “my red children.” The use of the word “red” clearly shows that he has their skin color in mind while addressing them, indicating that there was rampant racism during the colonial era in the USA. The president also says, “We claim to be your fathers.” The word “claim” has been used by the president to show that he does not actually consider them his children. The ready can also see this as a sign of mockery to the Native Americans. “We want your land and must have them and we will have them.” The constant repetition of the same message is used to insist on the fact that the colonialists would take the people’s land and they did not have a choice. All these statements are used to show the cruelty of the English settlers and how little they cared about the people’s wellbeing and safety.

Tone

Apess uses an accusatory or critical tone in this extract. He accuses the English settlers of mistreating the people and denying them their rights. “And we have a right to do with you just as we please.” The colonialists also sold the people's land without their permission. “We promised the land you have to somebody else…and we did it without your consent.” He also points out the racist comments used by the president. “You see, my red children.”

Conclusion

The colonialists for a long time gave King Philip a bad reputation simply because he spoke against their injustices. The writer gives an insight into the whole situation during that era including the kind of treatment given to the Native People. The white settlers mistreated the people and denied them their rights and segregated them from civilization in the name of protection from deceit by Christians. There was also rampant racism as the head of state addressed the people as “My red children.” The truth should be told based on the facts and not the narrative given by the oppressors. Therefore, all the people who fought for the rights of their people against the colonialists should be considered heroes and not rebels, as they are painted by the oppressors.

Works Cited

Apess, William. Eulogy on King Philip: As Pronounced at the Odeon, in Federal Street, Boston. The author, 1836.