The First American Literature

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Presentation transcript:

The First American Literature THE NATIVE AMERICANS The First American Literature

ORAL TRADITION Passed down from generation to generation through storytelling and performances. Characteristics of N.A. oral tradition: Always a performance, so always changing Always a lesson to be learned Intended to communicate culture and reinforce identity Purpose is to explain origins and establish codes of behavior

Each tribe had its own language, but different tribes could communicate through sign language.

In oral tradition, oratorical skills are valued and good speakers are valuable members of the community.

TYPES OF N.A. LITERATURE Creation myth: explains how the universe, earth, and life began Trickster tale: shows how the world and its creatures were transformed to the present state Ritual songs: part of ceremonies

TRICKSTER TALES Usually feature an animal or human character that engages in deceit, violence, or magic Forces the community to look at mistakes Most common tricksters are coyotes, crows, foxes Form of entertainment Coyote

NATIVE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHY Most important part of N.A. culture was living in harmony with nature and this is reflected in their literature.

HARMONY WITH NATURE MEANS: Human beings have a kinship with ALL parts of nature (animals, plants, the land, etc.) ALL parts of nature are seen as alive and aware The human and the nonhuman are part of a sacred whole Human beings DO NOT have dominion (power, control, dominance) over nature Humans must maintain a right relationship with the world around them.

Native Americans and Buffalo

Contrast to White Attitude WHITE MEN AND THE BUFFALO In the early 1800s-60 million buffalo on the western plains By the late 1800s – near extinction. White hunters killed them for their hides, tongues, for sport, and to destroy N.A. food supply; left the meat to rot

OTHER N.A. PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS Native Americans were NOT materialistic Survival is cooperative Means of survival are shared with the community, so no one could be hungry if there was food available in the tribe Something has value when it is given away Everyone plays a vital role in the tribe’s survival No differentiation between genders as far as value of their work Everyone is accountable to the group for his/her actions Punishment – told once/next time dead in the eyes of the people

BALANCE Important philosophical belief Embraces the contradictory aspects of life (always two parts to everything) Creation myths show both positive and negative aspects of the world (food crops and poisonous plants; predators and prey) Both sides seen as necessary

NATIVE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Leadership allows for all voices No individual is greater than the whole Government is about responsibility, NOT power Each tribal group has own leader Leads to misunderstanding with Europeans who have one leader (king, president, etc.) For a treaty to be valid, ALL tribal leaders would have to sign

IMPORTANT N.A. SYMBOLS THE CIRCLE-NO BEGINNING, NO END. It’s sacred as long as it’s unbroken. The Number 4 Fire-Air-Water-Earth North-South-East-West Spring-Summer-Fall-Winter Childhood-Youth-Maturity-Old Age