Beginnings of American Literature Prehistory-1600 Shannon Luster 10 th Grade English

Historical Characteristics Native Americans: Native Americans: America’s first settlers who crossed the land bridge between Asia and North America around 35,000BC. America’s first settlers who crossed the land bridge between Asia and North America around 35,000BC. These settlers are the ancestors of the Native Americans we know. These settlers are the ancestors of the Native Americans we know.

The Age of Exploration Our common-day knowledge of the Native American comes from European explorers. Our common-day knowledge of the Native American comes from European explorers. The Age of Exploration is a period of European expansion during the Renaissance between 1000 and The Age of Exploration is a period of European expansion during the Renaissance between 1000 and 1492.

Settlements in America The first successful English settlement in North America was in Jamestown, Virginia in The first successful English settlement in North America was in Jamestown, Virginia in A group of 105 colonists settled, but within seven months, only 32 of them were alive. A group of 105 colonists settled, but within seven months, only 32 of them were alive. These colonists claim America as their own, but conflicts and contradictions in beliefs occur with those who are the true first settlers of America. These colonists claim America as their own, but conflicts and contradictions in beliefs occur with those who are the true first settlers of America.

Native American Culture Four Characteristics of Native American Life: Four Characteristics of Native American Life: 1. The land is sacred; it is a living part of all beings which cannot be owned. 1. The land is sacred; it is a living part of all beings which cannot be owned. 2. Life is organized around the cycles of nature. (Circle of Life theory) 2. Life is organized around the cycles of nature. (Circle of Life theory) 3. Traditions are passed verbally to different generations through the telling of sacred stories. 3. Traditions are passed verbally to different generations through the telling of sacred stories. 4. Speechmaking and storytelling contribute to one’s rise in the clan organization. 4. Speechmaking and storytelling contribute to one’s rise in the clan organization.

Clan Organization The Native American Culture is centered around two beliefs: The Native American Culture is centered around two beliefs: 1. There is a spiritual bond between the Creator, humanity, and the entire natural world. 1. There is a spiritual bond between the Creator, humanity, and the entire natural world. 2. It is the duty of humanity to maintain a balance between the Creator and the natural world. 2. It is the duty of humanity to maintain a balance between the Creator and the natural world.

America’s first stories The first stories were picture stories. The first stories were picture stories. These picture stories were meant to show the ancestry of the clan. These picture stories were meant to show the ancestry of the clan. These picture stories are called Totem poles. These picture stories are called Totem poles.

Native American Literary Characteristics: 1. It is based on an verbal tradition. 1. It is based on an verbal tradition. 2. The “myth” is the most important genre. 2. The “myth” is the most important genre. 3. The “myths” explain human behavior and mysteries of the universe. 3. The “myths” explain human behavior and mysteries of the universe. 4. The “myths” use the supernatural to explain the natural. 4. The “myths” use the supernatural to explain the natural. 5. The writings employ the use of metaphors and similes. 5. The writings employ the use of metaphors and similes.

Two Types of “Myths” 1. Creation “Myths”: These “myths” tell how the world and human life came to be. 1. Creation “Myths”: These “myths” tell how the world and human life came to be. 2. Origin “Myths”: These “myths” explain how natural phenomena like how the stars, the moon, the sun, and the mountains came to be. 2. Origin “Myths”: These “myths” explain how natural phenomena like how the stars, the moon, the sun, and the mountains came to be. ***It is not uncommon to see a “myth” combine both of these styles of writing.

The Trickster A common feature of the Native American “myth” is the trickster. A common feature of the Native American “myth” is the trickster. The trickster is an animal character who has two sides to his/her personality. The trickster is an animal character who has two sides to his/her personality. 1. He/She is a rebel who defies authority and creates trouble. 1. He/She is a rebel who defies authority and creates trouble. 2. He/She is a curious, a clever, and a creative figure who unexpectedly reveals wisdom. 2. He/She is a curious, a clever, and a creative figure who unexpectedly reveals wisdom.