Ishi: Last of His Tribe

How does Tushi's contribution to the move conflict with the traditional expectations that the Yahi have for women?

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In order to help with the move, Tushi carries items to the cave and is able to keep up with Ishi along the way. Grandmother chastises her for all of this, saying, "No Yahi woman ever did such work"(102). Presumably, grandmother is referring the fact that Tushi is doing "men's" work. When Tushi explains that she is simply doing what has to be done, a lesson she learned from her grandmother, Grandmother retorts, "I did not teach you to go through brush at night with a load on your back; or to go alone with your own cousin"(103). Grandmother's comments reflect a culture in which each gender has its own expectations. Unfortunately, the size of the village does not allow Tushi to adhere to tradition.