A Discussion of Vision in *Black Elk Speak

Black Elk finally decides to reveal his visions.  When he does, the elders
decide to make it more tangible and paint it out.  They also decided to have
it acted out in fear that if they did not, something bad would happen.  This
Horse Dance is very intricate with many participants, use of colors and
symbols, and inclusion of song.

In class we mentioned the idea of disabilities portrayed in the
autobiography.  The visions that Black Elk had caused him to be sick, as
mentioned in the story quite frequently.   I think it is interesting that
this disability led to the restoration of other things.  Black Elk seems to
have been better after he did what he was told to do.  Also, people who were
sick got better after he did the dance, and the horses seemed to be
healthier too.  This disability turns into something that Black Elk has
learned to embrace.

Black Elk becomes very in tuned with his visions.  He uses it to find
meaning in what he has to do to help his nation.  At the age of seventeen,
it is a lot to take on.  Having such important visions and having to make
something out of it requires a lot of maturity.  Although he does question
himself at times, I think overall he feels that he has an obligation to his
gift.  He pushes away all the fear and understands that this “disability”
should be conquered and used to help his nation.

I would also like to mention intricacy of the Horse Dance.  The inclusion of
numbers, colors, direction and song all seem to have a sense of harmony. 
When he was having these visions, they felt unorganized and he couldn’t
truly make sense of them, but the Horse Dance came around and everything
seemed to be so organized and harmonious.  This was a little weird to me.

Any thoughts?