'Dutch Joe' is a story about Westward Expansion of the United States in the 19th century. Dutch Joe is depicted as a typical figure in the story who represents the spirit of America and reveals process of overcoming various difficulties he faced with during westward expansion. This story shows two conflicting characteristics of Joe; positive and negative.
Dutch Joe and the storyteller are not American; they migrated from different countries into barren and natural land of America. In this part, we can understand the story based on the history of American westward expansion. While reading the story, one man named Dutch Joe caught my attention. He was a man who made wells successfully despite the poor situations. Dutch Joe is a skilled man and have many experienced knowledges. Like Mentioned in "He is a sturdy fellow of medium height, a pleasant smile, determined lips, and extraordinary muscles."(page2), he is very strong and muscular. He had confidence that he can make wells on barren land and never compromised his principles even when he was faced with barriers and failed in his attempt. He never gave up.
I think these challenge spirit, passion, and patience are really necessary things for modern citizens. Of course, we should not follow the negative sides of the American pioneers mentioned the lower part. But the American spirit which is filled with passion and the mind to take the initiative and set an example can be valuable assets in lives. Above three things will change passive people into active people who have their own perspectives. Nowadays, people never dig well when they can't be sure there is underground water 100%. They always avoid even a little danger. With this weak attitude, there will be no improvement in themselves, our country and further the whole world. Feisty, maybe free-swinging challenge can be a new breakthrough for modern citizens. He showed golden mean. Entrepreneurs should follow example of himself. Especially, Korean entrepreneurs really need this attitude to survive in the creative industry society. Korean Dutch Joe will lead the future and be the next Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg. I may conclude that Dutch Joe suggested right direction of lives that modern citizens should follow.
On the other hand, Pioneers represented with Joe showed the things that is not appropriate and should be criticized. Joe's saying "Every dutch boy knows the power of shovel... he knows where water is hid from his home effort"(page3) also reveals the difference between the Indians and pioneers indirectly and emphasizes the priority of his hometown, the western culture. There is a need to have humble attitude and keep confidence from being conceit.
Furthermore, They were too greedy despite they are not the original residents in the American continent. "The Indians tell us that any animal that has wandered too far beyond the river is counted as dead by them. However, we are not too sure about trusting Indians about where to settle or where the water is, given that we are removing them."(page 1) The Indians adapted to the environment of less water, and do their best to have the best lives in their own barren environment. But, pioneers were not satisfied with their given environment. They refused their given lives and tried to search for new, developed lives. It can be interpreted that pioneers are challenging and passionate in a narrow sense. However, they exceeded appropriate standard and go more far than the range that can be allowed with no moral matters. Pioneers disregard the Indians and even drive them out of their traditional base of lives. In my opinion, the pioneers should take criticism about the way they treated the Indians and developed the land. They didn't realize and overlook the fact that they were not the original residents, only the invaders. They also missed all the things, like getting permission, consideration of the Indians and giving appropriate money as compensation, they should justly give to the Indians. In addition to missing the moral and valid obligation, the pioneers didn't respect the nature. The great nature were destroyed by undiscerning developments and the pioneers drived the Indians who keep the wild lives with the great nature. The storyteller's idea same with me is implied in Joe's death.
Indians are depicted crucial and ignorant in this story about orphan boy. "hid him inside a pickel barrel from Indians... Indians hated pickles and the smell of brine burning, and ... they did not burn the barrel and the orphan boy got a rescue."(page3) This storyteller described the Indians this way in the sights like racism. Yes, the Indians were sometimes crucial, but we have to understand it considering the background of history direct explanations of which were leaved out in the story. Pioneers were only invaders in the point of the Indians, and the Indian's response can be interpreted as self-defense.
Overcoming the difficulties came up while making wells, finally pioneers made the successful well. But the story ends with Joe's death in vain. "The bucket is near the top, and when it is released it falls directly onto the head of Dutch Joe working to hundred feet down."(page8) This end made readers to consider a question in various aspects, not confined in one perspective. Although he achieved the great success, the ending was his death in vain without any enjoy or satisfaction. Thinking about the meaning of the end, I can deeply think about a true pioneer's figure based on Dutch Joe. Reading this story, I can know more about the American pioneering history and the direction present society should go toward.