Throughout our readings this semester, the theme of the outsider has been present. The outsiders in these selections all had similar roles. One of the main roles was the subjugation that developed from the feeling of unequal position. This submission silenced and forced many to abandon the mainstream. Native Americans were outsiders to Europeans. Europeans had different beliefs and ideas about life that they imposed on Native Americans. Suddenly, with the arrival of Europeans, Indians became strangers in their own territory. They lose the stability that comes from knowing the simple pleasures that surround them. They could no longer listen to the wind or feel the touch of the sun, but were forced to fight just to hold a place on earth that could now be owned. “There may be a more efficient way to distress and kill them within inches of the way they took” (Apess 484). Even if the Indians managed to keep a small portion of land, they were afraid of when it would be taken from them. Before the Europeans, they had never known this world. They were somehow “ignorant of time, both of sun and moon; nor do they calculate by month or year. They understand the seasons in terms of the ripening of fruits, the death of fish, and the position of the stars” (Cabeza de Vaca 32). The disconcerting thought for most Native Americans was that the Europeans claimed to be Christians but seemed so overwhelmed with hatred towards these people that they constantly caused destruction to this group of innocent people. William Apess, of both European and Native American descent, writes of Europeans who “would not think it a crime to go into the Indian lands and cut and carry away their most valuable timber or anything else they choose” (Apess 484). Slowly, the N.. .... middle of the card ...... control. Simon Rosedale is also an outsider in this society, although not for the same reason as Lily. Mr. Rosedale's Jewish background prevents him from acquiring a position in this company. Although Rosedale is quite wealthy, he cannot advance in this society unless he can marry a member who has a rank in the society like Lily at the beginning of the novel. “Why should I bother to say I want to go into society” (Wharton 200). Mr. Rosedale's intentions are clear and he uses his wealth to try to gain a role in this company. Lily and Rosedale both possess the characteristics of outsiders trying to earn their way in a vain society. Many of the outsiders in our readings tried desperately to gain acceptance within. They were subject to the ideas and beliefs of others. They were also forced to take away their identities to gain acceptance in their society.