One Thousand White Women
Summary from the Publisher...
One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians. The covert and controversial "Brides for Indians" program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man's world. Toward that end May and her friends embark upon the adventure of their lifetime. Jim Fergus has so vividly depicted the American West that it is as if these diaries are a capsule in time.
Discussion Questions
- One Thousand White Women was written by a man, but in a woman's point of view. Did you find this convincing?
- In 1875, rebellious or unorthodox women were sometimes considered "hysterical" or insane. Is this still true in some circumstances today?
- Does May Dodd remind you of a modern-day woman?
- What would be today's equivalent of traveling west to an unknown part of the country with a group of strangers?
- Did you feel the Native Americans were accurately portrayed in the novel?
- If the "Brides for Indians" program were actually put into effect in 1875, do you feel it would have been effective?
- What circumstances would prompt you to undergo a journey like the one May Dodd took?
- Do you consider One Thousand White Women a tragic story? If so, why? If not, why not?
- Of the supporting female characters, who did you find the most likeable?
- Were any of May Dodd's actions unsympathetic? Would you find it difficult to leave your children behind in order to escape a horrendous situation?
Links
- Reading Group Guide
- A guide for book groups offered by the publisher.
- Bridal Sweet, or 'Melting Pot'-boiler?
- The Mothers and More Book Club examines One Thousand White Women.
- Apalachicola Novelist Finds His Niche
- An interview with Jim Fergus written by Jessica Paterson.
- Classic Bookshop Interview - Jim Fergus
- An interview by Cheryl Kravetz.
- Dull Knife Battlefield
- A Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office article on Dull Knife battle, the true story of the climactic battle featured in the novel. Fascinating stuff!
Other Resources
- Van Pelt, Rhonda. "Author Jim Fergus' Imagination Evenually Produced a Pearl." Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service 22 Apr. 1998: 422K2802.
- Husted, Bill. "French Fall for Font Range Fergus' Femme Fiction." The Denver Post 20 Jul. 2000: A-02.
Updated: 11/12/2004