Sundown: Analysis of Major Characters
"Sundown: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the rich tapestry of relationships and identity within the context of the Osage community, centered around the life of Challenge Windzer and his family. Challenge, the protagonist, navigates the complexities of his cultural heritage while seeking acceptance in a predominantly white society. His father, John Windzer, serves as a representative of the Osages during a turbulent time when oil rights are contested, ultimately facing betrayal and tragedy. Challenge's mother embodies the struggle between traditional ways and modernity, as she adapts her appearance and behavior following her son's educational pursuits.
The narrative also delves into the influences of various characters, such as Ellen Windzer, a teacher who strives to educate Indigenous children, and Challenge's childhood friend Jesus, who represents a sense of innocence and faith. The story highlights the challenges Challenge faces with peers like Charlie Fancher and Jack Fabus, who expose him to differing societal views on gender and morality. As Challenge grapples with his dual existence and the weight of familial expectations, he ultimately seeks to reconcile his heritage with his aspirations, reflecting broader themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of external pressures on Indigenous communities. This character-driven analysis offers insights into the intersection of personal and cultural narratives, inviting a deeper understanding of the Osage experience.
Sundown: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Joseph Mathews
First published: 1934
Genre: Novel
Locale: Hills near Kihekah, Oklahoma
Plot: Historical realism
Time: c. 1890–1930
John Windzer, Challenge's father, a representative of the Osages when the government seeks oil rights on Osage land. When Washington reduces its royalties, the Osages blame John and the government brands John a traitor for advocating Osage leases. John turns temporarily to drink. He recovers, however, and continues to work for the Osages, raise horses, and farm—with the help of a tenant—320 acres. John always expresses pride in Challenge. After John's murder, Challenge, now an adult, discovers that John has left $25,000 in the bank for them.
Challenge's mother, who in the beginning dresses in Osage clothing but gives up her blanket, moccasins, and beads when her son goes to the university. She displays Challenge's pictures and books, and she reads all of his college catalog. After John's death, she becomes more verbal. She tells Challenge of John's work for a law to provide care for children and orphans and explains that with money this guardianship will come more easily. She professes that her husband may not have believed that the government would not cheat the Osage and that his death itself shows that civilization has not really come to the Osage Hills.
Challenge, the protagonist. From his birth until his college years, Challenge seems to contemplate each word and action. He proceeds through school and enters the university, where he pledges a fraternity, plays football, and joins the Iron Men cheering squad. Challenge often feels out of step in the outside world. His inner world is a combination of reality and fantasy until he enters the military and begins to fit into “civilization.” Challenge becomes a pilot and serves his country. While still an aviator, Challenge learns that his father has been shot and killed. Challenge experiences a conflict in his emotions when he returns to his father's burial and sees the contrast between the old ways and the new ways. Soon he resigns from the military and returns to his hills to drink, ride in fancy cars, try various religions, play pool, and attend dances. He longs to try the tribal dances in public but only dances them in secret. No activity resolves the conflicts that he feels. He loves his mother but is ashamed of her old ways. At last, he realizes that his resentment comes from this Osage woman's being able to see into the heart of a warrior. He decides to attend Harvard law school, then settles back to sleep.
Ellen Windzer, John Windzer's cousin and a teacher in the government school.
Jesus, the one person Challenge thinks much of as a child and who becomes Challenge's friend in fantasy. Challenge finds out about Jesus through Bible cards Ellen Windzer gives him. When Challenge tries to destroy the pictures of the men who are hurting Jesus, Ellen misunderstands, becomes angry with Challenge, and says some things to Challenge that injure his dignity.
Miss Hoover, Challenge's first teacher. A Quaker who wants to teach “little Indian minds,” she later leaves her position.
Jep Newberg, the leading merchant and business expert for Kihekah. He dies from a bullet wound to his head.
Charlie Fancher, the trader's son and an early rival of Challenge. Challenge learns from Charlie and the other white boys of the way white people view women and sex: as something interesting and dirty. The Osages view sex merely as a means of procreation.
Jack Fabus, a white boy who persecutes Challenge until Challenge retaliates—according to his father's instructions—with a rock. Challenge receives no punishment because witnesses are honest about what happened.
Sun-on-His-Wings and Running Elk, Osage friends of Challenge. They are with him as children and even matriculate with him to the university. At the end of the rush and pledge period, however, Sun-on-His-Wings and Running Elk feel violated from the hazing and return to the Osage Hills. Running Elk turns to drink and drugs and dies from a gunshot wound to the head.
Blo Daubency, a popular young white woman at the university who expresses a mild interest in Challenge.
Mr. “Goosie” Granville, a science teacher at the university, an Englishman, Challenge's friend, and the observer of Challenge's first solo acrobatics in an airplane.
Doc Lawes, a profit-maker from the oil wells and victim of a shotgun wound.
Roan Horse, a spokesman for the Osages when the conspiracy to take the land, oil, and money from the Osages reaches trial and when the murders at last go to court when Challenge is a young man.