women and women (in Waterlily)
......,' and her reason was clear and sufficient. There is no economic need for her to endure in silence. She knows that her brothers and male cousins are ready to provide for her, and her own relatives to take her back into their midst. She did not have to hang on just to be supported by a husband." (Deloria, 179) Sometimes the modern woman has to stick by her husband no matter what and in a lot of cases women are too dependent on their husbands both emotionally and financially. Birth is a normal and expected part of life in Dakota culture. Blue Bird gives birth to Waterlily “allowing not a moan to escape her, though she was alone”.(Deloria, 5) Her grandmother once said that "to carry a child is an awesome thing", but she also said "if one is old enough to bear a child, one is old enough to endure in silence”.(Deloria, 5) This does not hold true in today’s society. The modern woman gives birth in a hospital, is given medication to ease the pain, and probably the most important thing is that all her family is there to support her. Dakota women have a very close relationship with their in-laws. When Blue Bird gets married to Rainbow “his mother was particularly pleased and said so on all occasions”.(Deloria, 43) She respects her in-laws and they respect her, help her with the raising of the children and the household duties. It is the same in today’s society. When a married couple decides to have a child the in-laws are there to help out. The idea that brothers must protect and honor their sisters because “your sisters and cousins depend on you, and you must never fail them”(Deloria, 61), while the sisters “are to never speak badly or act against their brothers”(Deloria, 61) hold true for both categories of women. Bear Heart “is in effect honoring the women of his generation, whom he had been taught to respect, protect, and aid.” (Deloria, 63) Dakota women have more respect from men, whereas in today’s society men do not always respect women. In today’s society it is assumed that a young boy will grow up to be a good and respectful man, but he is not taught those things, and it does not always turn that way. There are a few things that the society or the community teaches their children from an early age. “To have something given away […] It was better than to receive”, “for giving was basic to Dakota life.” “Be hospitable, be generous. Nothing is too good for giving away.” “You shall forbear to eat your food alone. Only half the morsel shall you eat, and with the other shall you show mercy.”(Deloria, 52, 78) Dakota women are taught all those thi...