Cogewea, the Half-Blood · Chapter
XIX: The Story of Green-blanket Feet explained
Stemteemä tells the story of Green-blanket Feet, a cautionary tale about a woman who was lured away from her people by a false Shoyahpee (white man).
What happens
Stemteemä tells the story of Green-blanket Feet, a cautionary tale about a woman who was lured away from her people by a false Shoyahpee (white man). The story details her life with him, her subsequent hardships among the Blackfeet, and the tragic death of her child. Stemteemä uses this story to warn Cogewea against Densmore, but Cogewea resists, believing the grandmother's wisdom is outdated.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
The story of Green-blanket Feet is a direct warning about the deceptive nature of white men like Densmore, who are seen as false-tongued and harmful.
Cultural Conflict and Preservation
Stemteemä emphasizes the importance of following Okanogan traditions, contrasting them with the ways of the Shoyahpee, and warns Cogewea against abandoning her heritage.
Gender Roles and Women's Strength
The story illustrates the vulnerability of women in cross-cultural marriages and the strength required to survive, as seen in Green-blanket Feet's escape from the Blackfeet.
Characters to notice
- Stemteemä
Tells the story of Green-blanket Feet as a warning to Cogewea about Densmore.
- Cogewea
Listens to the grandmother's story but rebels against the advice to stop seeing Densmore.
- Green-blanket Feet
The subject of the story, a woman who suffered after marrying a white man.
- Alfred Densmore
The Shoyahpee that Stemteemä warns Cogewea against, comparing him to the man in the story.
- Mary McDonald
Fills the grandmother's pipe before the story begins.
Key passages
“The name connects me with the false tongued Shoyahpee of other snows. It is the strong, clinging memory—hated thing—which recalls the face of the one I once loved; whose words I believed.”
My name reminds me of the deceitful white man from my past, a painful memory of someone I loved and trusted.
Green-blanket Feet explains the origin of her name and the betrayal she experienced.
“Cogewea; you must be more careful of that Shoyahpee . I do not like to have you with him so much. You must quit going with him alone. It is against the rules of our race for a maiden to do so. You must stop it! He only seeks to harm you.”
Cogewea, you need to be more cautious with that white man. I don't want you spending so much time with him, and you must stop being alone with him. It's against our customs, and he only wants to hurt you.
Stemteemä directly warns Cogewea about Densmore, using the story as a lesson.
“The wisdom of the Stemteemä is of the past. She does not understand the waning of ancient ideas. The young bird flies more sprightly than do the old.”
The grandmother's wisdom is old-fashioned. She doesn't understand that times are changing. The young are more agile than the old.
Cogewea dismisses her grandmother's advice, believing it is outdated.