Red Jacket, Sagoyewatha, and Otetiani; each are names of the great Seneca chief who is considered one of the greatest orators in Native American history. The components of each speech he gave are more than just words. A portion of who he and the changing, outside world around him underlies each line spoken. The entirety is spoken of for a reason, and taken from something: a memory, and idea, a historical event, a prediction of the future, concern, a disagreement, a value, an opinion. In understanding the underlying background and meaning of single separate statements in Red jacket's speeches, his motivation and premises can be discovered.
After coming across such important pieces of an address to the particular group he was speaking to, conclusions should feel in place with the reason and rhetoric used. Red Jacket's motivation is his own, for ours would most like differ if addressing the topic he had. But keeping it in mind will prove to be beneficial for being able to understand why he uses certain reasons and persuasion in a given speech. (Granville Granter 2007) (Blaisdell 2000)Our orator's first name, given to him at age 10, was Otetiani.
Otetiani means "always ready". His father was a Cayuga and his mother was a Seneca of the Wolf Clan. Upon reaching manhood, he became a Chief of his mother's Seneca tribe. At this time he was also given the name Sagowetha. Sagoyewatha means "he keeps them awake" (Daniel N. Paul 2010).
The chief's popular title is Red jacket. This named arrised from his act of wearing one of Britain's red coats, symboling his support of the English in the American Revolution. The orator's names alone have depth and background. When reviewing the influential events and experiences in his life, it will be evident that these have a large impact on what and why his statements are made during a speech. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 2009)Red Jacket was well known for several characteristics and events.
Before our first speech in 1805, which will soon be covered, Red Jacket was working politically. In1786 he urged that hostility against the Europeans continue at the Native American Conference at the mouth of the Detroit River. In 1792, he and several other Native American Chiefs visited the United States President, George Washington. (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 2009) He is described to have been articulate, skillful, and intellectual man with a good memory. At the same time though, he became known by his peers as an alcoholic accused of cowardice and egotism.
(Granville Granter 2007) Red jacket must have been fully aware of these views and names people had of him. It would be important then, when giving a speech in front of both groups of people to remember the preconceived ideas listeners around you have, so you can build off of that, or prove them wrong.Red Jacket's translated speech, "You have got our country but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion on us." is one of many rhetorical devices (packaging appeal), hidden agendas (making fun of God), and possibly abused translation. (Cannavo 1998:46-47, Venuti 1992:160) The first few words Red Jacket spoke were packaging, as he appealed to his audience, Cram, by calling him a brother and a friend. Three words into the argument we have already detected rhetorical devices.
Red Jacket then uses this poetic metaphor of the sun to describe their meeting. Next the orator appeals to an individual, God. Someone who Red Jacket knows Cram, a missionary, views as highest authority. (Blaisdell 2000:41) He says it is God's doing that they meet on that fine day.
Interpretation is an important factor of explaining the speech presented. Rhetoric , accuracy of the message, hidden agendas, and assumed semantics should be examined to determine the various possible messages derived from the text. (Cannavo 1998:42)
