# Hopes for the Future explained — Geronimo’s Story of His Life > Chapter companion for Geronimo’s Story of His Life by Geronimo. ## What happens Geronimo expresses his gratitude to the President for allowing him to tell his story and appeals for the Apache people to be allowed to return to their ancestral homeland in Arizona. He reflects on the broken treaty with General Miles, the unsuitability of their current lands, and his hope that his people may live in peace and prosperity in their native land. ## Themes in this chapter ### Displacement and Homeland Geronimo pleads for the return of his people to their ancestral land in Arizona, emphasizing the unsuitability of their current lands. ### Betrayal and Broken Treaties Geronimo states that the treaty with General Miles has not always been properly observed by the U.S. Government. ### Injustice and Oppression Geronimo questions whether his people have been rightly treated and describes their ongoing captivity. ## Character check-ins ### Geronimo Speaker of the chapter, expressing hopes for the future of his people. ### General Nelson A. Miles Mentioned as the signatory of the treaty with Geronimo on behalf of the U.S. Government. ### Theodore Roosevelt Referred to as the President who granted Geronimo permission to tell his story. ## Key lines > I am thankful that the President of the United States has given me permission to tell my story. Geronimo expresses gratitude to the President for allowing him to share his narrative. _Opening statement of the chapter._ > I hope that he and those in authority under him will read my story and judge whether my people have been rightly treated. Geronimo hopes that the President and officials will evaluate the treatment of the Apache people. _Geronimo appeals for a fair assessment of Apache treatment._ > That treaty has not at all times been properly observed by the Government, although at the present time it is being more nearly fulfilled on their part than heretofore. The U.S. Government has not always kept the treaty, though recently they have been more compliant. _Geronimo notes the inconsistent observance of the treaty._ > I think that my people are now capable of living in accordance with the laws of the United States, and we would, of course, like to have the liberty to return to that land which is ours by divine right. Geronimo believes the Apache are ready to live under U.S. laws and wishes to return to their divinely granted homeland. _Geronimo asserts the readiness of his people for citizenship and return._ > We are now held on Comanche and Kiowa lands, which are not suited to our needs—these lands and this climate are suited to the Indians who originally inhabited this country, of course, but our people are decreasing in numbers here, and will continue to decrease unless they are allowed to return to their native land. The Apache are confined to lands meant for other tribes, causing population decline; only a return to Arizona can reverse this. _Geronimo explains the unsuitability of their current reservation._ > It is my land, my home, my fathers’ land, to which I now ask to be allowed to return. Geronimo requests permission to return to his ancestral homeland. _Emotional plea for return to Arizona._ > I want to spend my last days there, and be buried among those mountains. Geronimo wishes to live out his final years and be buried in the mountains of Arizona. _Personal desire for a dignified end in his homeland._ > Could I but see this accomplished, I think I could forget all the wrongs that I have ever received, and die a contented and happy old man. If his people could return, Geronimo would forgive past injustices and die happily. _Geronimo's conditional forgiveness and hope for peace._ > But we can do nothing in this matter ourselves—we must wait until those in authority choose to act. The Apache are powerless and must rely on the government's decision. _Expression of helplessness and dependence on authorities._ > If this cannot be done during my lifetime—if I must die in bondage—I hope that the remnant of the Apache tribe may, when I am gone, be granted the one privilege which they request—to return to Arizona. Even if Geronimo dies in captivity, he hopes the remaining Apache will be allowed to return to Arizona. _Final hope for future generations._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xxiii-hopes-for-the-future - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters