Charles Eastman's writing in "Indian Boyhood" oozes optimism in face of hardship. In chapter 2 he talked about riding in the saddle on the side of a pony, balanced from falling only by another child in another saddle on the other side of the pony. He described the experience as "convenient", and felt that the "inmate of the fur-lined sack" was "very comfortable", and that he's "delighted" to ride behind those "wise-looking animals". Having been accustomed to ride in cars, one cannot imagine the hardship of having to ride in a saddle, but Eastman endured this hardship with a smile on his face. This bodes well on his ability to endure other, greater hardships. Endurance is an asset, and Eastman has plenty of this.
He also talked about the journey of running away from the advancing army of white men. In the face of such danger, he still remembers the joy of jumping off from a moving vehicle, calling it fondly as a "sport". This shows again his ability to smile in face of dire hardship. And when "storm ceased" the next day, he was joyous to find a herd of buffaloes, which reminds us that there's always sunshine after the storm.
He then described how Indians are a patient and clannish people, and how they have greater love for one another that any other civilized people. I imagine it's important to cooperate with your colleagues when you have to hunt buffaloes, and when you are in constant danger of a terrible famine. This is shown in the example of adults denying themselves food to make sure that children do not starve.
~Y.J.
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I agree that Indian Boyhood presents a very optimistic tone throughout the story. Although this entry primarily focuses on chapter 2, the optimism that is established in this section is carried on throughout the rest of the autobiography. Eastman suffered through many hardships when he grew up in his Sioux tribe, and his enduring perseverance is a primary factor in his ability to adapt and deal with those hardships. From when his mother passed away, and being separated from his father, Eastman dealt with challenges from the very beginning. Like this entry states, Eastman would even show optimism in the face of running away from the advancing white army. I believe that this optimism that he establishes a young kid prepared him and allowed him to accept the assimilation process he would undergo as an older teenager.
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