|
Honoring Alaska's Indigenous Literature
Vivian Martindale
ED 493: Examining Alaska's Indigenous
Children's Literature
Review #2: The Education of Little Tree
4/12/04
Peeling Away the Bark: Examining the Education of Little Tree by
Forrest Carter
"The Education of Little Tree," by Forrest Carter is about a young
Cherokee boy named Little Tree who is orphaned and goes to live with
his Cherokee grandparents. Since its publication debut in 1976 "The
Education of Little Tree" has never been out of print. It hit the
consumer shelves with ecstatic reviews in prestigious publication
such as the New York Time and the Atlantic Monthly. The book sold
more than a million copies and in 1985, a new publishing house, the
University of New Mexico Press obtained publication rights and it
continues to be their biggest seller, selling more than 1 _ million
copies.
At first read, the small 216-page book would seem suitable for
young readers up through High School (Recommendation by publishers is
grades 9 through 12). The book has its moments that make you smile
and wonder. When it was first introduced into our school systems as
required reading, schoolchildren around the country formed Little
Tree fan clubs. Yet, shockingly enough, the book, "The Education of
Little Tree" was publicly exposed as a fraud the year it was
published. However, despite this evidence, in 1991, 15 years after
its publication and 12 years after the author's death, "Little Tree"
won the Abby Award and made it onto the New York Times' bestseller
list. The Abby Award is given out each year by the American
Booksellers Association to honor "hidden treasures." Ironically the
Award began in 1991 with its first award being the book, you guessed
it, "The Education of Little Tree".
In addition to its publication success in book form and the
promotion from the Hollywood film industry the book continues to have
a following today. The University of New Mexico Press, who publishes
"The Education of Little Tree", presented the public with a 25th
anniversary edition, which included a cover painting by an Oklahoma
Cherokee artist. By this act the publisher validates its authenticity
although the newer edition now states in small print that it is a
work of non-fiction. The new edition, however, does not mention
author Forrest Carter's real identity, Asa Carter, or the
controversies that have surrounded the book. In a biography on Asa
Carter, Carter's brother claims their family has no Cherokee heritage
whatsoever. In addition, Carter was employed by George Wallace as one
of his speechwriters promoting Wallace's racist platform. But in 1973
Carter published a book called Gone to Texas about the life of the
outlaw Jose Wales and later "The Education of Little Tree." The
author claimed he was from Florida, that he had Cherokee blood and he
was an official storyteller as well as a historian for the Cherokee
Nation. Which of course seems ironic since near the end of the book
Carter claims that there is no Cherokee Nation. As well, Carter
perpetuates the stereotype of the image of the dying nations, which
of course did not died-the Cherokee Nation is still vital today.
Carter a white supremacist turned author Forrest Carter, aka Asa
Cater, was a founder of a white supremacist magazine called the
Southerner as well as noted for his infamous run as governor in
Alabama in 1970, where radio broadcasts perpetuated his racial
biases. Eventually, the author formed a group called the White
Citizens Council, a white supremacist organization with the same
views as the KKK and later another group with more evil intentions
called the original Ku Klux Klan of the Confederacy. This new group
was connected to violent acts across the southern states including
the assault on Nat "King" Cole in 1957 and in the same year the
abduction of a black man Edward Aaron. The group castrated Aaron and
poured turpentine on his wounds.
My question is why does the public, as well as educators still
want to believe in this book and its author? It is simply not enough
for teachers to include the controversy and include it in their
lesson plans, while allowing students to read this book. The
deception by the author is no less a form of malice. And to make
matters worse, the Hollywood movie industry ignored the controversy
and introduced a whole new generation of readers and fans to the book
through the movie version for young adults. We as educators and
parents owe it to new generations of readers to stop the perpetuation
of "The Little Tree" myth. One website sponsored by the Main
Association of School Libraries at www.maslibraries.org/infolit/samplers/educational.html
offers teachers activities surrounding this book and includes a focus
on the controversies surrounding the author. This would be one way to
deal with the 'author' issue, however, I feel the association
completely ignores the ideals behind the authors words by using the
book to further their education about the 1930 and the Cherokee
people. How might I ask, does one learn anything productive from an
author who participated in the brutal torture of a human being.
These issues make it clear that as reviewers of children's
literature regarding Native American's it is important that we
examine the author closely. "The Education of Little Tree" is a
perfect example of texts that promote stereotypes and perpetuate
racial myths. On the surface "The Education of Little Tree" is an
endearing story about a little boy and his relationship to nature and
his culture, however, on more than one occasion the author inserts
his views on survival of the fittest and the theory of allowing the
dominant species to rule.
By peeling at the layers of bark on this "Little Tree," we see
that the author Forrest Carter, aka, Asa Carter, aka Little Tree is
one nasty man who used a story based on lies and deceit to perpetuate
the image of the dying Indian and the supremacy of the dominant White
race, his ultimate agenda in life. Am I asking readers to evaluate
every author's background? In essence, yes, but I am also asking
readers to examine the 'authenticity' and 'sincerity' of the authors,
especially when it comes to our children's books. Perhaps as an
adult, fully knowing Carters personal background, I could read "The
Education of Little Tree" with reservations, but I would not subject
my adolescents and teenagers to its read because I feel the author
doesn't deserve to have anyone read his material nor does the
publisher deserve on more dollar in their coffers. Carter promoted
the book as truth and in turn it was a hoax and he was rewarded for
it. In turn, he made a fool of many readers and certainly his
publisher. I recommend that students in elementary or secondary
grades NOT read this book because of the dangers that lie beneath.
Perhaps an examination at the college level would be more appropriate
or a discussion on the negative effects of such a book at the high
school level. This book has earned two salmon: 0 to 8
salmon .
Something smells fishy! This book is a rotten salmon and bad for the
digestion of little minds.
The book reviews are a result of students enrolling in special topics course
Ed 493 Examining Alaska Children's Literature taught by Esther A. Ilutsik
in the Spring of 2004.
The book reviews are written by the students and are a reflection of their
own analysis of the books and have not been altered in any way. The reviewers
have given permission to share the book reviews on the HAIL website.
|
