Persecution and Oppression
The entire poem highlights the use of casual language by the US government when apologizing for Native Americans after a long period of persecution and oppression. Since white settlers arrived in America, they started subjecting natives to oppressions. The federal government only apologized to natives in 2009. However, the use of systematic formal language shows that the government was non-committal to get a resolution.
The Theme of Death
The poet explores the theme of death in the poem to showcase the brutalities suffered by Indian tribes at the hands of white settlers. The order for mass execution of Dakota prisoners by President Lincoln justifies the many violent acts of the US government. When Dakota people were starving, a white trader named Andrew Myrick mocked them by stating that they should eat grass. Unfortunately, during the Sioux uprising, Myrick was killed and his mouth stuffed with grass.
The Theme of Social Criticism
The poem is all about the criticism of formal apologies and casual language that rationalizes the violent actions committed by the federal government. Layli Long Soldier uses her poetic wits to criticize the US government on its handling of resolutions. The poet criticizes the government for failing to take full responsibility for injustices suffered by native tribes
The Sarcasm of the Language of Apology
The poet uses the word “Whereas” as sarcasm to mock the way documents of resolutions are drafted in the US. The title of the poem is sarcastically employed to deplore the documentation of formal apologies by the powerful government of America. Long Soldier wonders how a worldly venerated government can systematically use a single term in every statement, disclaimer, and resolution. The continual use of only one term in important documents by the government implies sarcasm.
The Theme of Deconstruction
Deconstruction is one of the main themes explored in this poem. The poet deconstructs the use of the word ‘whereas’ to question the prevailing concept behind the recurrent use of the term in every document. Through deconstruction, Long Soldier exposes cultural and Euro-centric bias exercised by the bureaucratic US government.
