The narrative heart of the 1990 film "Dances With Wolves" centers on the profound transformation of its protagonist, Union Army 1st Lieutenant John J. Dunbar. His journey begins in 1863, wounded in a stalemated battle at St. David's Field in Tennessee, facing the grim prospect of amputation. Choosing a defiant end, Dunbar stages a suicidal charge in front of Confederate lines, miraculously surviving and inadvertently inspiring a Union victory. This
act of unexpected bravery earns him medical care that saves his leg, a horse named Cisco, and the rare privilege of choosing his next posting. Driven by a desire to witness the American frontier before its perceived disappearance, Dunbar requests a transfer to the West.
His assignment leads him to Fort Sedgwick, the farthest outpost under the jurisdiction of the mentally unstable Major Fambrough at Fort Hays. Fambrough's subsequent suicide after Dunbar's departure, coupled with the death of his provisioner Timmons at the hands of Pawnee, leaves Dunbar isolated at a deserted Fort Sedgwick. Undeterred, he begins to rebuild the fort and meticulously records his observations in a diary. This period of solitude marks the beginning of his immersion into the frontier, setting the stage for his encounters with the indigenous people of the land.
Building Bridges with the Sioux
Dunbar's initial interactions with the Sioux are marked by suspicion and attempts to steal his horse. However, his desire for peace leads him to seek out their camp. On his way, he encounters Stands With A Fist, a white woman adopted by the tribe's medicine man, Kicking Bird, after her family was killed by Pawnee. She is mourning her late Sioux husband through self-mutilation, and Dunbar brings her back to the Sioux camp to recover. Despite initial hostility from some members, Dunbar gradually builds a rapport with the tribe, particularly with Kicking Bird, the warrior Wind In His Hair, and the youth Smiles A Lot.
Stands With A Fist, fluent in both Lakota and English, becomes a crucial interpreter, facilitating communication and understanding between Dunbar and the Sioux. Through these interactions, Dunbar develops a deep respect and appreciation for their culture and way of life. His acceptance into the tribe is solidified when he assists them in finding and hunting a large buffalo herd, a vital act for their survival. He also forms a unique bond with a wolf he names "Two Socks" due to its white forepaws. Observing Dunbar and Two Socks chasing each other, the tribe bestows upon him the Sioux name "Dances With Wolves," signifying his growing connection to their world.
A New Identity and a Perilous Choice
Embracing his new identity, Dunbar learns the Lakota language and provides the tribe with firearms, enabling them to defeat a raiding party of Pawnee warriors. His commitment to the Sioux culminates in Kicking Bird's approval for him to marry Stands With A Fist, making him a full member of the tribe. As encroaching white settlers pose a growing threat, Chief Ten Bears decides to move his group to their winter camp. Dunbar, now fully integrated, chooses to accompany them, but first attempts to retrieve his diary from Fort Sedgwick, understanding that its contents could reveal the tribe's location to the U.S. Army.
His return to Fort Sedgwick, now reoccupied by Union soldiers, proves disastrous. Mistaken for an enemy due to his Sioux clothing, he is captured, and Cisco, his horse, is killed. Unable to prove his identity or his story, and refusing to aid the army in hunting the Sioux, Dunbar is charged with desertion. As he is transported back to Fort Hays, Two Socks, the wolf, attempts to follow him but is tragically shot by the soldiers. However, his Sioux friends track and attack the convoy, freeing Dunbar and bringing him to the winter camp. Dunbar and Stands With A Fist depart, knowing he will now be hunted as a traitor by the Army. His journey concludes with a poignant exchange of gifts and expressions of everlasting friendship with Kicking Bird and Wind In His Hair, solidifying his choice to remain with the people who gave him his true name.
