I will Fight No More Forever

Chief Joseph was an Indian chieftain of the Nez Pearce in the ate 1800's. The Nez Pearce were the most powerful of tribes that spoke their language. When his father died Chief Joseph was voted by his people to succeed him (Meet). As Chief of the Nez Pearce he had to deal with some major decisions. When gold was discovered in the Nez Pearce land the ensuing gold rush threatened to destroy the tribe. Chief Joseph managed to hold off the government for several years by negotiating (Meet). But finally, the government told Chief Joseph that if his tribe did not leave the land they were on the government would remove them by force. While his tribe was leaving their home several of the men in his tribe got into a fight with some white poeple and killed them. Thus started Joseph's 1000 mile long journey with his tribe to ecape fromt he government. After three months of fighting off the US Army and marching Joseph's tribe was surrounded and forced to surrender (Meet). One can only imagine the emotions going through Joseph's mind at the time. One of the most powerful had to be relief. In his writing I Will Fight No More Forever Chief Joseph expresses his anguish at how his peopl have been getting along while he has been fighting the US Army. In his words he is worried about the fact that " The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away tot he hills and have no blankets, no food, no one know where they are -- perhaps freezing to death." (Joseph). Clearly these are the words of a down trodden man who is tired of running and tired of the uncertainty tomorrow may bring. This little speech to General Howard is the last straw. Joseph has decided that he is done trying to fight people. He no longer wants the blood shed and the pain and heartache that comes with it. Joseph simply wishes to save as many of his tribe as he can. As the tribe leader Chief Joseph feel responsible for all the deaths in his tribe, as he says " Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Too Hul Hul Suit is dead. The old men are all dead. it is the young men who say yes and no. He who led on the young men is dead." (Joseph). Chief Joseph was expressing his grief at how everything has happened and how so many people have died through his actions. The final line " I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever." (Joseph). Sums up Joseph's feelings, he is done fighting, done with the heartache and pain it has caused. From this point until I die I am done fighting. Chief Joseph was done, he never fought again and he died an old man like I am sure he wished.

"Meet Cheif Joseph." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 531. Print.

Cheif Joseph. "I Will Fight No More Forever." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 514. Print.