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Analysis Essay on E. Pauline Johnson’s poem “The Cattle Thief”

“The Cattle Thief” by E. Pauline Johnson presents a scenario where an indigenous chief

is murdered for stealing the settlers’ cattle, but in reality, the leader was protecting his people

from oppressive tendencies. The poet even relies on literary techniques to make the poem

interesting and engaging for the audience. This essay evaluates oppression and good v. evil in the

poem and how the images, symbols, and similes assist Johnson in clarifying some of these

themes.

The poet reveals the theme of oppression since the settlers are referring to the Eagle

Chief as the Cattle Thief. Evidently, they are seeking a reason to get rid of the leader since he has

been interfering with some of their plans that focus on exploiting the indigenous community.

After they had murdered the Eagle Chief, one of the women among the indigenous people

decides to confront the settlers, and he questions them about their motives. In the process, the

audience even understands some of the atrocities that the settlers have committed against the

indigenous community. The lady reveals that “you have cursed, and called him a Cattle Thief,

though you robbed him first of bread” (Johnson line 46). She even reveals how they no longer

have enough land, game, and her people are suffering because of widespread hunger. These

accusations illustrate another perspective of the situation that the settlers have ignored as they

were murdering the Eagle Chief. At that point, the Indian lady asks the settlers, “what have you

brought but evil, and curses since you came?” (Johnson line 50). The statement shows their pain
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and the extreme oppression that they have been experiencing in the hands of the settlers. The

Indian lady even insists that “give back the peace and the plenty” (Johnson line 61). The

assumption illustrates that the community has been missing these important aspects that they are

still pursuing. Hence, they are seeking an end to the oppression that they have been encountering

since they need a society that considers respect and a sense of togetherness.

Furthermore, the theme of good v. evil keeps recurring throughout the poem to portray

how the settlers want to exploit the indigenous people. In this situation, the settlers are looking at

the Eagle Chief as a thief while the indigenous community insists that the colonizers are

criminals that have stolen their land. For instance, the settlers are looking at the leader as a

“desperate Cattle Thief” and a “monstrous, fearless Indian,” “who thieved and raided, and

scouted” (Johnson lines 6-8). The detailed description captures how the Eagle Chief is a criminal

that should be executed or incarcerated due to his evil acts. However, the illustration only shows

the settlers’ point of view. Hence, later, the poet relies on an Indian lady that stands up to the

settlers, and she reveals some of the atrocities that they have committed against her people. For

instance, the Indian lady insists that “by a book, to save our souls from the sins you brought in

your other hand! / go back with your new religion, we never have understood” (Johnson lines 52-

53). The statement shows how the settlers are introducing Christianity, but their practices are not

adhering to the good news. After they have accused the Eagle Chief of stealing their cattle, the

Indian lady tells the settlers that “when you pay for the land you live in, we’ll pay for the meat

we eat!” (Johnson line 58). As a result, the indigenous community also shows that they are not

criminals, and the settlers are engaging in evil practices that are affecting them in a negative way.

The poem relies on images, symbols, and similes to portray the good v. evil approach that

Johnson applies throughout the poem. In the poem, Johnson reveals that “he turned, like a hunted
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lion: I know not fear, said he;” (line 23). The illustration is symbolic because it shows how the

Eagle Chief was a valuable treasure that they had been pursuing. Furthermore, it was an essential

way of clarifying his position, power, and influence among the indigenous community. The fact

that the Eagle Chief is represented as an exotic trophy captures how he was an obstacle to their

initiatives of controlling and undermining the well-being of the region. Even images are

integrated into the poem to capture the emotions and motives of the settlers. Johnson shows how

the settlers “were galloping hard and fast;” as they were looking for the Eagle Chief (line 1). The

description illustrates how they have the intent to find their target and convict him of non-

existent crimes. The poet even romanticizes the situation by insisting that they were “desperate

riders” that “had sighted their man at last” (line 2). The aspect of romance clearly portrays their

motive in interfering with the well-being of the chief. Endless similes are incorporated into the

poem as a way of clarifying some key events. For instance, the settlers describe that the fearless

Indian usually “who rode like a hurricane!” (Johnson line 8). Johnson even shows that the

settlers “cursed like a troop of demons” after they had failed to catch the Eagle chief (line 14).

Some of these similes create a proper picture of the narration and how the settlers were trying to

undermine the Eagle Chief’s authority by portraying him as the enemy. In summary, these

different techniques help Johnson in exhibiting a detailed message that is more appropriate.

In conclusion, the discussion highlights how the indigenous communities suffered in the

hands of settlers that were exploiting them. Hence, the poet revisits the themes of oppression and

good v. evil to portray the issues that they faced. For instance, the Indian lady that stands up to

the settlers accuses them of stealing land and killing their game. As a result, they are suffering

due to hunger and a lack of peace. The presence of images, symbols, and similes also plays a

critical role in illustrating what the indigenous community is facing.

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Work Cited

Johnson, Pauline E. “Cattle Thief.” 1895.