9. Stereotype

In "Church," Dobbins and Kiowa are the main characters we see interacting with one another. While cleaning Dobbins' gun, they discuss the idea of possibly becoming a minister. Dobbins said he had considered becoming one and he asked Kiowa if he had also. Kiowa responds,"No. Not ever," (116) and Dobbins began to laugh at the idea saying, "An Indian preacher. Man, that's one I'd love to see. Feathers and buffalo robes," (116). This was a very stereotypical statement on his part. Dobbins assumes that individuals with Native American descent still wear headdresses, feathers, etc. "Kiowa lay on his back, looking up at the ceiling, and for a time he didn't speak," (116). Kiowa is bothered by Dobbins' statement, but he does not try to explain that they do not wear feathers and such any longer because he probably finds it pointless to explain that to someone so ignorant and unwilling to see the truth. To be one of the few Indians in his group of soldiers must have been a very challenging lifestyle to take on, especially when so few understood that he was just the same as everyone else. They were all fighting for the same country.