[Homage to the American Indian] celebrates the spiritual strengths of the American Indian and confesses the spiritual weaknesses of modern America. In a torrent of images and phrases ripped out of context, Cardenal juxtaposes fragments of ancient American life with fragments of modern American life. His technique is that of the documentary film maker who juxtaposes two opposing points of view in such a way that the viewer is encouraged to choose one, in Cardenal's case the ancient American. (pp. 85-6)

Cardenal's view of modern America is limited and, more seriously, dated. It is set in the late sixties, and it is a view created by the media. It is so much a product of the media that most of us can no longer respond to it, and Cardenal's allusions to such recent events tend to fall flat.

His view of ancient America is more generous, perhaps too...