# The Middle Five — Themes

> Major themes in The Middle Five by Francis La Flesche.

## Cultural Identity and Assimilation

The book explores the tension between the Omaha Indian boys' native heritage and the forced assimilation into Euro-American culture at the mission school, as seen through their retention of Indian customs, language, and rituals despite the school's efforts to suppress them.

## Friendship and Loyalty

The bonds between the boys, especially within the Middle Five and Big Seven gangs, are central to the narrative, highlighting mutual support, protection, and shared adventures, such as Brush's care for the narrator and the group's secret nighttime feasts.

## Childhood and Play

The book vividly depicts the universal joys and mischief of boyhood, including games like 'Follow My Leader,' sledding, pig-chasing, and mock battles, which serve as a counterpoint to the strict discipline of the school.

## Education and Discipline

The mission school's rigid educational system, with its emphasis on rote learning, religious instruction, and punishment, is contrasted with the boys' natural curiosity and resistance, as seen in their pranks to gain holidays and their struggles with English.

## Loss and Grief

Themes of death and mourning pervade the book, from Brush's fatal illness and the narrator's homesickness to the widow weeping for her husband and the ritual of placing food on graves, reflecting the harsh realities of life for the Omaha people.

## Resistance and Rebellion

The boys subtly resist the school's authority through secret societies, nocturnal escapades, and defiance of rules, such as the Big Seven's ritualistic 'Word of Command' and the runaway attempt to join the buffalo hunt.

## Tradition vs. Modernity

The clash between Omaha traditions—like the buffalo hunt, horse racing, and native songs—and the modernizing influences of the mission school is a recurring tension, with the boys navigating both worlds.

## Family and Community

The importance of family ties and community bonds is emphasized through the boys' visits home, the grandmother's care for Joseph, and the collective mourning rituals, contrasting with the isolating environment of the boarding school.

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