MovieChat Forums > Jeremiah Johnson (1972) Discussion > What exactly did he give to Paints His S...

What exactly did he give to Paints His Shirt Red?

posted 17 years ago by thingading
7 replies | jump to latest

It looks like it is a skin or blanket of some kind. I'm sure it was useful and it did look nice, but why would Paints His Shirt Red think this is such a great gift? I'm sure he and/or those in his tribe had lots of skins, and had perfected the craft. Just curious.

[–] Gilles_Meloche 17 years ago

I think those were beaver skins. Notice he smells them to see if they're fresh, he probably needed some at the time, so he appreciated the gift.

[–] thingading 17 years ago

Thanks, Gilles. If that's the case, I could see why they were appreciated gifts.

[–] joanne-150 17 years ago

They were furs of various animals. Paints His Shirt smells them for quality of tanning. He was pleased by the quality as he had seen Jeremiah was not all that good of a fisherman. Paints His Shirt wasn't unreasonable, he just wanted to show him who was boss of the woods without being a bully about it.

[–] maverick3855 17 years ago

Actually it is the hide of the Elk he just shot in the previous scene with Bear Claw.
That's why Bear Claw nods approvingly as he gives Paints His Shirt Red the hide from his first elk as it was something that was of value to Johnson as it was a trophy of sorts symbolizing his accomplishment and graduation from "Pilgrim" status.

[–] thingading 17 years ago

maverick, that would make sense. I think you nailed it. Thanks for the reply.

[–] poppoppoq 17 years ago

i think it was a whole elk carcass

[–] 17 years ago

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