John Dunbar The strangeness of this life cannot be measured: in trying to produce my own death, I was elevated to the status of a living hero.
Most-quoted character in Dances with Wolves (1990): in 12 of its 22 quotes
A line from John DunbarNothing I have been told about these people is correct. They are not thieves or beggars. They are not the bogeymen they are made out to be. On the contrary, they are polite guests and I enjoy their humor.
More lines from John Dunbar
6 quotes John Dunbar John Dunbar [voiceover]
It seems every day ends with a miracle here. And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day.
John Dunbar [voiceover]
Many times I'd felt alone, but until this afternoon I'd never felt completely lonely.
John Dunbar I had never really known who John Dunbar was. Perhaps because the name itself had no meaning. But as I heard my Sioux name being called over and over, I knew for the first time who I really was.
John Dunbar It was hard to know how to feel. I had never been in a battle like this one. This had not been a fight for territory or riches or to make men free. This battle had no ego. It had been fought to preserve the food stores that would see us through winter, to protect the lives of women and children and loved ones only a few feet away. I felt a pride I had never felt before.
John Dunbar [to his army captors who are interrogating him, in Lakota]
My name is Dances with Wolves. I will not talk to you anymore. You are not worth talking to.
Scenes with John Dunbar
5 scenes
Major Fambrough [reading orders]
Lieutenant John J. Dunbar. [pauses, looks up] Lieutenant John J. Dunbar?
John Dunbar Yes, sir.
Major Fambrough Yes, sir. [pause] Indian fighter?
John Dunbar Excuse me?
Major Fambrough You're to be posted on the Frontier. The Frontier is Indian country. I deduced that you're an Indian fighter. I didn't rise to this position by being stupid.
John Dunbar No, sir.
Major Fambrough No sir. [pause] It says here that you've been decorated.
John Dunbar Yes, sir.
Major Fambrough And they've sent you here to be posted?
John Dunbar I'm here at my own request.
Major Fambrough Really? Why?
John Dunbar I've always wanted to see the frontier.
Major Fambrough See the frontier--
John Dunbar Yes, sir. Before it's gone.
Major Fambrough [taking a sheet of paper from the desk drawer, the sound of liquor bottles clinking as he does so]
Such a smart lad, coming straight to me. [scribbling with a quill pen] Sir...Knight, I am sending you on a knight's errand. You will report to Captain Cargill, at the furthermost outpost of the realm, Fort Sedgewick. My personal seal [scribbling] will assure your safety [scribbling furiously] through many miles of wild and hostile country. [He folds the letter into an impossibly tiny square and hands it to Lt. Dunbar]
John Dunbar [taking the note]
I was wondering--
Major Fambrough Yes?
John Dunbar How will I be getting there?
Major Fambrough You think I don't know?
John Dunbar No, sir, it's just that I don't know--
Major Fambrough Hold your tongue. [pause] I happen to be in a generous mood and I will grant you a boon. [gestures to the window] See that peasant out there? He calls himself Timmons. He is going to Fort Sedgwick this very afternoon. You may ride with him. He knows the way. That is all.
Major Fambrough [Dunbar turns to leave. When he gets to the door, the Major calls to him]
Sir Knight?
Major Fambrough [Dunbar turns as the Major stands, a dark stain on the front of his trousers]
I've just pissed my pants...and no one can do anything about it.
John Dunbar [at the celebration of the buffalo feast, noticing a big Sioux man has his Lieutenant's hat]
That's my hat... that's my hat!
Big Warrior
[in Lakota, as all becomes quiet in the tent]
I found it on the prairie. It's mine.
Big Warrior
He left it on the prairie. He didn't want it.
Well, you can see he wants it now. We all know it's a soldier hat. We all know who wears it. If you want to keep it, that's fine. But give something for it.
[the Sioux takes his knife and sheath off his belt and gives it to Dunbar] [in English, to Dunbar]
Good... trade!
Let us smoke a while.
John Dunbar [voiceover]
With Ten Bears, it was always more than a while. There was purpose in everything he did, and I knew he wanted me to stay. But I was sure of myself. I would be an excuse, and that's all the Army would need to find this place. I pushed him as far as I could to move the camp. But in the end, he only smiled and talked of simple pleasures. He reminded me that at his age, a good fire was better than anything. Ten Bears was an extraordinary man.
Stands With a Fist [explaining how she got her name]
I worked every day... very hard... there was a woman who didn't like me. She called me bad names... sometimes she beat me. One day she was calling me these bad names, her face in my face, and I hit her. I was not very big, but she fell down. She fell hard and didn't move. I stood over her with my fist and asked if any other woman wanted to call me bad names... No one bothered me after that day.
John Dunbar [smiles]
I wouldn't think so.
John Dunbar We are trying for a baby.
Kicking Bird No waiting?
John Dunbar No waiting.
Kicking Bird I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life, there are some that matter most. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail, and it is good to see.
Full quote from novel: "There are many trails in this life, but the one that matters most, few men are able to walk...even Comanche men. It is the trail of a true human being. I think you are on this trail. It is a good thing for me to see. It is good for my heart." Ch. XXVIII, one, p. 345.
