Description
The Indian princess began as an imposition, a Eurocentric conception based in preconceived notions of cultural structures and gendered power roles - a mixture of noble woman and provocative demure maiden - created by Anglo men to epitomize an idyllic image of otherness and womanhood. This analysis begins by exploring the history of the icon that was first conceived through sixteenth century explorer's tales of exotic queens then traces her progression through the romantic idealizations of the Indian woman Pocahontas. Research then explores how the character, comprised of a mixture of feathers, beads, and buckskin, was implemented into performance, and discusses how her flesh and blood enactment became critical to her survival. Drawing on the theories of contemporary critics, final examination turns to twentieth century perceptions of the Princess and reactions to her by contemporary Native artists whose manipulations of the character opens alternative dialogs about the stereotype to offer reconstructions of her historic discourse.
Details
Title
- Princesses in buckskin: interrogation of a stereotype
Contributors
- Hanawalt, Tammi Jo (Author)
- Duncan, Kate (Thesis advisor)
- Fahlman, Betsy (Committee member)
- Malagamba-Ansótegui, Amelia (Committee member)
- Mesch, Claudia (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2011
Subjects
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
- thesisPartial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2011
- Includes bibliographical references (p
- Field of study: Art history
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Tammi Jo Hanawalt