Question

Chief Joseph's Surrender Speech, October 5, 1877

by Chief Joseph

Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.
Which sentence would change the tone of this passage? (5 points)


a.Tell General Howard I do not know his heart.
b.What he told me before, I am too sad to remember.
c.The young men cannot tell us yes or no.
d.From where the sun now stands I will continue to fight.

Answer 1

b.What he told me before, I am too sad to remember.

Answer 2

Chief Joseph seems tired. He had enough and for sure, all the tragedy that he has seen and the fact that he doesn't know even if his sons are alive is deeply depressing, but it is the last phrase that gives meaning to the whole letter, since he decides that he is never going to fight again.

That is why the answer is From where the sun now stands I will continue to fight.

This phrase would make the letter more hopeful and it would feel like the words of a brave man that will fight no matter what he faces.