I think progress is something that many have used as an excuse in order to change what they don't know or understand. It's much easier to live with the familiar. I felt that in Appalachia those who settled here conformed to many of the ways of the Native Americans in order to survive in this land unknown to them. I think that says a lot about them. I view them as a people who truly wanted to live in peace and beauty and not take away but add to what was there. We all know what the white man has done to the Native Americans. I love the way that some have never conformed and that they have embraced their culture. Unfortunately, many won't ever know the true beginnings of this culture and get a chance to truly experience it because of "progress".
What an interesting perspective! Relating Appalachians with Native Americans! Seriously, you are on to something here. The Appalachian people and Native Americans really do reflect many of the same values; both cultures (truly) place so much emphasis on the fat o' the land. Real mountain folk utilized the land to it's fullest extent for survival, as opposed to progress and industrialization. Both cultures were viewed as "primitive" and uncivilized, but really, both cultures were built on brilliant methods of communication, utilization and survival. Example----remember when Ora Mae screams at Richard Burlage in the novel? Remember how he thought she was crazy and untamed, when really, she was signaling to her family that there was a possible intruder. The Natives did the same thing with their chanting, animal calls and vice versa.....