Native American Literature

Important Literary Terms to Know Myth – an anonymous traditional story that is basically religious in nature and that usually serves to explain a belief, ritual, or mysterious natural phenomenon Archetype – a very old imaginative pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, an image, a theme, or a setting

The purpose of Native American literature was to show: Beliefs about the nature of physical world Beliefs about social order and appropriate behavior Beliefs about human nature and the problem of good and evil Preservation and communication of spiritual beliefs

Characteristics of Native American Myths Major role in the stories is often played by animals Ordinary people, animals, and places were divinities All were originally oral stories passed down for many generations The stories and legends often have ritual beginnings and endings Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not linear as many western thinking normally follows Many of the stories have a “trickster” character Often uses repetition of elements

Common Themes Movement from a sky world to a water world Fortunate fall – creation story Earth diver myth usually involving an earth made from mud or a flood after the universe is created Theft of fire Emergence myth – movement of beings from under the surface of the earth

“The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” by Joseph Bruchac Article about Native American literature Living oral tradition Passed down from generation to generation Much literature went undiscovered fro years At least 350 Native American languages Never treated with the same respect as European literature Not recognized for its value until late 1800s

“The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” by Joseph Bruchac Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about the natural world Animals and humans are used as characters Often in the same story Powerful metaphors used in literature Words themselves can be endowed with special powers Indians are tenacious They have persisted to honor their own customs Sun Dance is an example of this World view is not a progress line but an endless circle Changing seasons Cycles of birth, death, and rebirth Ceremonies repeated yearly

“The Sky Tree” Huron piece of literature Creation myth The beginning of the earth How people and land came to be The Earth Diviner myth Common among Native American cultures Earth is covered by water An animal dives down into the water and brings up soil Many Native Americans call North America “Turtle Island”

“The Sky Tree” Archetype – The Tree Symbolism – Rooting of Tree

“The Earth Only” Teton Sioux Poem Composed by Used-as-a-Shield Translated in 1918 Archetype Wise old man Profound philosophical truth The earth endures, but people (and all living things) do not.

“Coyote Finishes His Work” Nez Perce Tale Retold by Barry Lopez Creation myth Explains creation of the Indians and Indian culture Archetypes: Coyote is the archetypal trickster Earth-woman Old man

“Coyote Finishes His Work” Coyote plays tricks on Indians Coyote helps the Indians Rids the earth of evil spirits Teaches important skills Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, and he sends Coyote to a resting place. The Old Man leaves, too. One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return. Meanwhile, the Old Man wills end messages by the spirits of those with near-death experiences. Indians are awaiting the return of the Coyote.

“Coyote Finishes His Work” The return of Old Man and Coyote Coyote will return first Earth will require a change Old Man will bring spirits of dead with him There will be no more “other side camp.” All people will live together. Earthmother will be restored.