The Education of Little Tree Controversy: Unmasking a Literary Deception

Introduction

Forrest Carter's The Education of Little Tree, published in 1976, gained popularity as a touching memoir of a young orphaned boy raised by his Cherokee grandparents in the Appalachian mountains. The book resonated with readers due to its themes of environmentalism, simple living, and Native American spirituality. However, the book's success was overshadowed by the revelation that Forrest Carter was a pseudonym for Asa Earl Carter, a former Ku Klux Klan member and segregationist. This discovery ignited a controversy that continues to surround the book, raising questions about its authenticity, cultural appropriation, and the author's motivations.

The Rise and Fall of a Bestseller

Initially published with little fanfare, The Education of Little Tree found a dedicated following throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Its message of respecting nature and embracing a simpler way of life appealed to many readers seeking alternatives to Western philosophies. The book's popularity soared after the University of New Mexico Press reissued it in paperback in 1986. In 1991, it received the American Booksellers Association Book of the Year (ABBY) award and climbed onto the New York Times bestseller list.

However, the book's success was short-lived. In the same year that it won the ABBY award, historian Dan T. Carter revealed that Forrest Carter was, in fact, Asa Earl Carter, a man with a history of racist and segregationist activities. This revelation sparked outrage and led to a reevaluation of the book's merits.

The Dark Past of Asa Earl Carter

Asa Earl Carter was a prominent figure in the segregationist movement in Alabama. He was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and wrote speeches for Governor George Wallace, including the infamous "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" speech. Carter's past was filled with violence and hate speech, making it difficult for many to reconcile his identity as a racist with the seemingly benign message of The Education of Little Tree.

After his political career ended in defeat, Carter reinvented himself as Forrest Carter and began writing Westerns and Native American-themed books. He concealed his past and presented himself as a Cherokee storyteller.

The Controversy Unfolds

The revelation of Carter's true identity sparked a heated debate about the book's value and its place in literature. Some critics argued that the book was a deceptive and manipulative work that promoted harmful stereotypes about Native Americans. Others defended the book, arguing that its message of love, respect, and environmentalism should be judged independently of the author's past.

Sherman Alexie, a Native American author, called Little Tree "a lovely little book," but added that he sometimes wondered "if it is an act of romantic atonement by a guilt-ridden white supremacist, but ultimately I think it is the racial hypocrisy of a white supremacist."

Oprah Winfrey, who had previously praised the book, acknowledged in 1994 that she no longer felt the same about it after learning about Carter's background.

Themes and Content of the Book

The Education of Little Tree tells the story of a young boy named Little Tree who is orphaned at the age of five and raised by his Cherokee grandparents in the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee during the Great Depression. His grandparents teach him "The Way of the Cherokee," which emphasizes respect for nature, self-reliance, and spiritual awareness.

The book explores themes of:

Nature and Environmentalism: Little Tree learns to appreciate the natural world and to live in harmony with it.
Cherokee Culture and Spirituality: The book presents a romanticized view of Cherokee traditions and beliefs. Granma tells him about his spiritual mind in contrast to his physical mind, and how he needs to feed his spirit to achieve a better life next time around. Granpa frequently shares his suspicious and convoluted views about politicians while teaching Little Tree the workings of his whiskey business.
Prejudice and Discrimination: Little Tree and his grandparents encounter prejudice and discrimination from white people. Many white characters demonstrate prejudice toward Little Tree and his family for their Native American heritage. Some even openly mock the family by mimicking stereotypical Native American signs, phrases and behaviors.
Family and Love: The book celebrates the importance of family and the power of love. Little Tree meets and grows to love his grandparents’ friends. Pine Billy is an emotional, fiddle-playing traveler who pops in on occasion. Mr. Wine, a clock repair man, also visits. Little Tree’s grandparents demonstrate their love for each other and for him in numerous and subtle ways. His grandparents’ friends, too, feel a strong affection for Little Tree.
Distrust of Institutions: Granpa frequently shares his suspicious and convoluted views about politicians while teaching Little Tree the workings of his whiskey business. Granpa has to be secretive about his illegal job. Little Tree and his grandparents are distraught when politicians serve papers saying his grandparents are unfit guardians. As Granpa tries to fight to keep the boy, he seeks out Mr. Wine for help. He learns Mr. Wine has died. A lawyer in town refuses to take the case, knowing no judge will rule in favor of an Indian.

Controversial Elements

Several elements of the book have been criticized as being inaccurate or stereotypical representations of Cherokee culture. Some critics have also pointed out that the book's idealized portrayal of Native American life ignores the historical injustices and suffering that Native Americans have faced.

Cultural Appropriation: Critics argue that Carter, as a non-Native American, had no right to write about Cherokee culture and that his portrayal of Cherokee traditions is inauthentic.
Stereotypes: The book reinforces some common stereotypes about Native Americans, such as the idea that they are inherently spiritual and connected to nature.
Historical Inaccuracies: The book contains some historical inaccuracies, such as its depiction of the Trail of Tears.

Interpretations and Analyses

Some critics argue that The Education of Little Tree is a product of Carter's racist ideology and that it subtly promotes white supremacist views. They point to the book's portrayal of white people as being inherently corrupt and the book's emphasis on self-reliance and individualism as evidence of this.

Shari M. Huhndorf writes that “the idyllic portrait Carter paints in The Education of Little Tree in many respects actually complements the author’s earlier Klan politics” and that through the pretense of Indian family life in the Tennessee hills, Carter “attempts to vindicate the South from its violent racial history and to redeem an explicitly white supremacist perspective fallen into disrepute.”

Other critics argue that the book is a sincere attempt by Carter to atone for his past and to promote understanding and tolerance. They point to the book's message of love, respect, and environmentalism as evidence of this.

Chuck Weeth, a bookstore owner who worked with Carter, said, “I guess it’s sort of that feeling that give a man a chance, he might change himself. And we felt like, well, he tried to change himself and he succeeded with us. I didn’t like Asa Carter, I’ll guarantee you. But I did like Forrest Carter.”

Gina Caison writes, “The three most common claims regarding Little Tree have been that it 1. represents Carter’s atonement for his racist past; 2. hides a sinister narrative of white supremacy beneath a hopeful exterior of ‘Cherokee’ mythology; or 3. produces such positive valuations of good morals that these contradictory possibilities and the immorality of its author become irrelevant.”

The Book's Impact and Legacy

Despite the controversy, The Education of Little Tree remains a popular book, particularly among young readers. It has been translated into numerous languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book has also been adapted into a film.

However, the controversy surrounding the book has made it a challenging text to teach in schools. Some educators have removed the book from their curriculum, while others use it as an opportunity to discuss issues of cultural appropriation, prejudice, and historical accuracy.

Teaching The Education of Little Tree in the Classroom

Many educators believe that The Education of Little Tree can still be a valuable text for teaching students about a variety of topics, provided that it is approached critically and with full context.

Some ways to teach the book in the classroom include:

Discussing the author's background: Students should be aware of Asa Earl Carter's history as a Ku Klux Klan member and segregationist.
Analyzing the book's themes: Students should critically examine the book's themes of nature, culture, prejudice, family, and distrust of institutions.
Identifying stereotypes and inaccuracies: Students should be able to identify stereotypes and inaccuracies in the book's portrayal of Cherokee culture.
Exploring different interpretations: Students should be exposed to different interpretations of the book and be encouraged to form their own opinions.
Connecting to current events: Teachers can connect the controversy surrounding The Education of Little Tree to current events, such as cultural appropriation and impersonation.

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