Published in 1932, the novel Black Elk Speaks is the life story of a holy man of the Oglala Sioux, as told through John Neihardt. In a long series of discussions between the two men, Black Elk imparted his own story and the story of the Oglala Sioux during the tragic decades of the Custer battle, the ghost dance, and the Wounded Knee massacre. The central theme of Black Elk Speaks can be found on the …showed first 75 words of 1262 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1262 total…were some who had more of everything than they could use, while crowds of people had nothing at all and maybe were starving. They had forgotten that the earth was their mother.” Describes Black Elk’s trip to Europe, during which he and his friends were paraded around before the public like beasts in a circus. The difference is that in this case it was the prying crowds and greedy ringmasters who were the animals.