One Thousand White Women
by Jim Fergus
About the book…
One Thousand White Women begins with May Dodd's journey west into the
unknown. A government program, in which women are brought west as brides for
the Cheyenne, is her vehicle. What follows is the story of May's adventures:
her marriage to Little Wolf, chief of the Cheyenne nation, and her conflict
of being caught between two worlds, loving two men, living two lives.
About the author…
Jim Fergus is a longtime correspondent for Outside Magazine and a
contributing editor for Sports Afield. His work has appeared in
dozens of national magazines and newspapers, and he is the author of the
nonfiction book, A Hunter's Road. He lives in northern Colorado.
Discussion Questions:
- One Thousand White Women was written by a man, but from a
woman's point of view. Did you find this convincing?
- In 1875, rebellious or unorthodox women were sometimes considered
"hysterical" or insane. Is this still true in some circumstances today?
- Does May Dodd remind you of a modern-day woman?
- What would be today's equivalent of traveling west to an unknown
part of the country with a group of strangers?
- Did you feel the Native Americans were accurately portrayed in the
novel?
- If the "Brides for Indians" program were actually put into effect in
1875, do you feel it would have been effective?
- What circumstances would prompt you to undergo a journey like the
one May Dodd took?
- Do you consider One Thousand White Women a tragic story? If
so, why? If not, why not?
- Of the supporting female characters, who did you find the most
likeable?
- Were any of May Dodd's actions unsympathetic? Would you find it
difficult to leave your children behind in order to escape a horrendous
situation?
Questions courtesy of St. Martin's Griffin
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