Native American Literature SEES BEHIND TREES by: Michael Dorris

Bibliography: Dorris, Michael. 1996. SEES BEHIND TREES. New York: Hyperion ISBN 0786822155

Summary

A young Indian boy, Walnut, reaches the age where he must pass the trial of accuracy in shooting to become a man and receive his new name. Walnut has very poor eyesight, so a special test is given to the boys this year. This test requires them to “see” with their eyes shut. Walnut’s mother has worked with him on this technique and when he passes, the tribe is amazed and he is given his new name Sees Behind Trees. His skill is tested when he goes with Gray Fire to find the most beautiful place in the world a place he calls Land of Water. A place that Gray Fire found as a youth, but was never able to find again. On their trek they run across strangers, the first that Sees Behind Trees has ever seen. This couple has a little baby hidden behind their camp. As they venture on Sees Behind Trees finally hears the noises of the water and Gray Fire is finally back at the place he found so beautiful. Gray Fire goes to his death and Sees Behind Trees must return to his home with only his weak eyes and sense of sounds to send him back home. He comes across the campsite of the strangers and finds it destroyed and the couple gone, but again the baby is hidden in the bushes. He gathers the baby up and is successful in sensing his way back home.

Critical Analysis

This is a well written book about the coming of age of a Native American boy. It gives a unique look at a boy who must find a way to become a man without having the ability to be accurate with a bow an arrow. It is his mother who helps him to accomplish this task. I was quite surprised that the mother was in charge of teaching the boys to hunt. Stereotypically I had envisioned the mother as taking care of the needs of the home and the father providing the game and teaching the boys to hunt. Evidently this is not the way of the tribe in the book. Mr. Dorris’ heritage includes some Native American and he is careful to represent the Native American’s in this book historically correct. Because Sees Behind Trees meets his first strangers at the age of twelve one assumes this tribe is a tribe that is not mobile, but makes their home in one place. The book has a unique twist to it as it tells the story from the point of view of the young protagonist, Sees Behind Trees. Hunting was important to his tribe and because of his poor vision; Sees Behind Trees is unable to use the bow and arrow accurately. The story evolves as Sees Behind Trees develops his unique gift of using his other senses of hearing, feeling and sense of smell to help him overcome what seems like a huge handicap in his life with his limited sight. This book was full of cultural markers beginning with the passing from boyhood to manhood by members of this Native American tribe. The boys become men in their twelfth year when they pass the test of accuracy in shooting their bows and arrows. This is a skill that is taught to the boys by their mothers. This rite of passage takes place in what the Native Americans consider the twelfth year; their years are counted by the passing of the moon. In the white man’s world it would be the thirteenth year. The weroance who is in charge of the test announces that “when a boy passes the test he is no longer a boy and no longer wears a boy’s name.” Walnut is given the name Sees Behind Trees. The new name is significant in some way to the boy’s abilities. Sees Behind Trees is gifted at knowing who is coming or what surround him by the sounds made rather then what he sees. The tribe sees this gift as “magical powers”. The children were taught to be respectful of their elders. When Gray Fire tells the story of his visit to the Land of Water, Sees Behind Trees accepts this as a gift and thanks Gray fire for the gift of the story. Gray Fire is described as “not a tall man – slightly bent with age…his black air was streaked with white, and his face was brown and round as a chestnut. Many of his teeth were missing from their places.” This descriptive passage details the look of this tribe of Native Americans. There was an almost magical event taking place as Sees Behind Trees and Gray Fire made their way to the Land of Water. Gray Fire had a distinctive limp from his injury as a child, yet when they were making their way to Land of Water his steps appeared lighter, his limp unnoticeable and his tracks in the snow almost invisible. Sees Behind Trees steps were very noticeable in the snow. Gray Fire taught him tracking skills as they went along. Even though Sees Behind Trees had poor eyesight he taught him to notice things such as the moss on the trees. These were skills that Native Americans taught their children. When they ran across the “strangers” people not from their tribe, it was the first time in Sees Behind Trees life that he had encountered others. The strangers, Gray Fire and Sees Behind Trees had to use rudimental signs for eating and names as they were unable to understand each others language. This is indicative of the many languages that the Native Americans spoke. Each tribe was unique and Native American cultures should not be grouped as one. When Sees Behind Trees and Gray Fire make it to the Land of Water, although it is not specifically stated it is indicated that this is where Gray Fire has gone to complete his life. He disappears and is not seen again. Here in the Land of Water Sees Behind Trees is also able to receive perfect sight, if only for a little while. He sees the moon and the individual leaves on the trees, something he has not been able to do before. This soon fades, but leaves the reader with the thought that this was a spiritual moment for Sees Behind Trees.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Young Walnut doesn't see very well, and can't hunt and prove to his tribe that he is ready to be an adult. By using his other senses, he earns the respect of his people and a new name: Sees Behind Trees. He sets off on a journey with Gray Fire and faces the most difficult task-to save himself and find his way home.

Horn Book Guide: I Walnut is given a new name, Sees Behind Trees, because of his finely tuned hearing. He accompanies Gray Fire, the brother of the chief and hunting expert, on a journey where they meet strangers, experience beauty, and ultimately endure loss. While the plot is not entirely convincing, this short novel creates a strong sense of place and provides a glimpse of the Powhatan Indians of Virginia.

Connections

Using the setting of the story and the life of these Native Americans brainstorm the area of North America that they might live.

Other books by this author:

MORNING GIRL ISBN 078681358
GUESTS ISBN 0786813563

Two book by Joseph Bruchac that deal with the coming of age of Native American boys and Girls:

FLYING WITH EAGLE, RACING WITH GREAT BEAR
THE GIRL WHO MARRIED THE MOON