1. Unit 1 Early American Literature: The Native Americans

2. Characteristics ● 17th century ● Faced issues regarding politics and finding food and shelter ● To deal with hardships and celebrate blessings, they created stories & applied religious beliefs to explain what was happening.

3. Storytelling Traditions ● At this time, there was no written language. Therefore, stories were told through oral traditions, or by word of mouth. ● There were various tribes across what is now the U.S., and all told stories this way. o Stories about different things depending on location

4. Geographical Differences ● A tribe in Georgia might tell stories about rattlesnakes, while a tribe in Louisiana may have a story about alligators and a tribe in the Northeast would tell stories about snow.

5. Commonalities Among Tribes ● While all tribes may tell stories about different types of events, animals, or people, there are some common elements of all Native American stories: o A hero’s journey o A trickster god interferes o Nature changes o Worlds are created

6. A Hero’s Journey ● Character experiences hardships and has to rise above them. ● Sometimes this character has to make sacrifices in order to succeed.

7. A Trickster God Interferes ● A trickster god causes turmoil or havoc in a community. ● Sometimes the tricks are harmless ● Other times, a hero must save the tribe from trouble

8. Nature Changes ● Examples: no rain or too much snow ● The actions of characters in a story often result in the weather changing

9. Worlds are Created ● Sometimes this can mean the creation of the world ● Other times, this is about a new season or generation.