Hello, I am looking for someone to write an essay on The Problem of Old Harjo by John M. Oskison. It needs to be at least 750 words.Download file to see previous pages... The new generation of Native

Hello, I am looking for someone to write an essay on The Problem of Old Harjo by John M. Oskison. It needs to be at least 750 words.

The new generation of Native writers themselves was just as critical of missionary efforts. In 1907 John M. Oskison's story “The Problem of Old Harjo” explored the dilemma of a well-intentioned Christian missionary who believes she can convert an elderly Native. The difficulty is that Old Harjo is happily married to two wives, and forcing him to renounce either one would be “cruel and useless.” Though Harjo fervently seeks church membership, the missionary is sensible enough to doubt that demanding a separation “would in the least advance morality amongst the tribe, but I'm certain that it would make three gentle people unhappy for the rest of their lives.” In this instance at least, when Indian custom and missionary certainty come into conflict, the missionary must back down. The problem of having to choose between two wives and two sets of values is not uniqueto the rising class of freed slaves. Native Americans commonly had more than one wife. thispresented a problem for Native Americans. Although the government would not honor such a marriage, they were emotionally and economically binding for the spouses. In “The Problem of Old Harjo,” John Oskison, another Native American, addresses thisissue. Harjo, like Old White Bull, has two wives. While this is the tale of conflict betweenChristianity and native traditions, it still offers tremendous insight into the emotional bond ofmarriage.

marriage, even when more than two people are involved. Oskison builds credibility for the

institution by first portraying the missionaries as superficially religious but not concerned with

Harjo’s well-being—they are representatives of a church of “scandalized missionaries” (Oskison

967).