The Ability to Adapt

The ability of some to adapt to changing situations became an important theme in the book. The first real example of this theme is seen with Cynthia Parker. Cynthia was raised in a strictly religious home that probably kept her in tight check. She had likely only heard of the hardships and brutality of the Indians. But after living with them for a few years, she had become adapted to their way of life and - given the opportunity - refused to return. This adaptability was likely due, at least in part, to her age. When Cynthia was returned to the white's world, she wasn't nearly as willing to try to adapt though her young daughter, Prairie Blossom, was soon well accepted among the white people. Quanah is another example of this theme. When he was faced with the necessity of moving onto the reservation...