Black Robe
Introduction
There were several clashes of cultures between the European and the Native Americans during the 17th century. The film, ‘Black Robe’ depicts some of the differences in culture and beliefs between the French and the native Indians. The film attributes an event that took place during the war between the French funded Algonquin and the British and Dutch funded Iroquois tribe. The film features Father Laforgue a Jesuit priest. This essay will discuss the various challenges that Father Laforgue faces (as portrayed by the film) while trying to spread Christianity to the Native Americans due to the cultural differences.
Discussion
The film begins by showing how the French settlers were struggling to convert the local tribe of Algonquin (with whom they were collaborating) to Christians with no success. In turn, the leader of the French settlers decided to send one of their Jesuit priest to try saving and accomplishing their failed mission in converting the local tribes into Christianity. The Jesuit priest selected was father Laforgue. He was accompanied by an assistant named Daniel (who was not a member of the Jesuit priests) and a number of locals from the Algonquin tribe. On the way to the village of Huron, Daniel fell in love with one of the locals. This was not an ambiguous occurrence to the locals; however, father Laforgue did not feel at ease with the issue because he was a member of the Catholic Church male congregation that practiced celibacy. While still traveling they encountered the native tribe of Innu who at no time had they ever come face to face with a Frenchman. The diviner or healer of the native tribe of Innu became suspicious of the Frenchmen and got envious of Father Laforgue influence on the tribe of Algonquin. Later, full of resentment he accused the Christian Frenchmen of believing and worshiping evil spirit. He convinces