Native American LiteratureNative American Literature

English 3English 3

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Native American Literature”by Joseph Bruchac p.15-16by Joseph Bruchac p.15-16

Article about Native American literatureArticle about Native American literature Living oral traditionLiving oral tradition

– Passed down from generation to generationPassed down from generation to generation– Much literature went undiscovered for yearsMuch literature went undiscovered for years– At least 350 Native American languagesAt least 350 Native American languages

Never treated with the same respect as Never treated with the same respect as European literatureEuropean literature– Not recognized for its value until late 1800’sNot recognized for its value until late 1800’s

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Native American Literature”

Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about the natural worldthe natural world

Animals and humans are used as charactersAnimals and humans are used as characters– Often in the same storyOften in the same story

Powerful metaphors used in literaturePowerful metaphors used in literature– Words themselves can be endowed with special powersWords themselves can be endowed with special powers

Indians are tenacious Indians are tenacious – They have persisted to honor their own customsThey have persisted to honor their own customs– Sun Dance is an example of thisSun Dance is an example of this

World view is not a progress line but an endless circleWorld view is not a progress line but an endless circle– Changing seasonsChanging seasons– Cycles of birth, death, and rebirthCycles of birth, death, and rebirth– Ceremonies repeated yearlyCeremonies repeated yearly

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Sky: Native American Literature”

What is the meaning of the title? What is the meaning of the title? – Reread the last paragraph on p. 16 and decide.Reread the last paragraph on p. 16 and decide.

The Sun Still Rises in the Same The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American LiteratureSky: Native American Literature

by Joseph Bruchacby Joseph Bruchac According to Bruchac, what is one important According to Bruchac, what is one important

thing that Native American literature has in thing that Native American literature has in common with European classics?common with European classics?

Consider what Bruchac says about the Consider what Bruchac says about the authors whom he names. What have these authors whom he names. What have these writers done for Native American literature?writers done for Native American literature?

Make the Connection – Make the Connection – QuickwriteQuickwrite Myths, which are almost always connected with Myths, which are almost always connected with

religious rituals, explain the world the people religious rituals, explain the world the people live in and their traditions.live in and their traditions.

Take some notes on myths you are familiar Take some notes on myths you are familiar with. with. – What do they explain to people?What do they explain to people?– What comfort might they offer?What comfort might they offer?

St. Nicholas, Blackbeard, Johnny Appleseed, St. Nicholas, Blackbeard, Johnny Appleseed, How a Rainbow was formed, Big FootHow a Rainbow was formed, Big Foot

Literary Focus - ArchetypesLiterary Focus - Archetypes

An archetype is an old imaginative pattern An archetype is an old imaginative pattern that has appeared in literature throughout that has appeared in literature throughout the ages.the ages.

Archetypes can be plots, characters, or Archetypes can be plots, characters, or images.images.

An archetype appears across cultures.An archetype appears across cultures. Explanation of Archetypes PP

““The Sky Tree” p. 20The Sky Tree” p. 20 Huron piece of literatureHuron piece of literature Creation mythCreation myth

– The beginning of the earthThe beginning of the earth– How people, and land came to beHow people, and land came to be

The Earth Diviner MythThe Earth Diviner Myth– Common among Native American culturesCommon among Native American cultures– Earth is covered by waterEarth is covered by water– An animal dives down in to the water and brings up soilAn animal dives down in to the water and brings up soil– Many Native Americans call North America Turtle IslandMany Native Americans call North America Turtle Island

Symbolism: What does the rooting of the tree Symbolism: What does the rooting of the tree represent?represent?

““The Sky Tree”The Sky Tree”

ArchetypeArchetype– The TreeThe Tree

SymbolismSymbolism– Rooting of TreeRooting of Tree

““The Earth Only” p. 21The Earth Only” p. 21 Teton SiouxTeton Sioux PoemPoem Composed by Used-as-a-ShieldComposed by Used-as-a-Shield Translated in 1918Translated in 1918 ArchetypeArchetype

– Wise old manWise old man

Profound philosophical truthProfound philosophical truth– The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do

not.not. a poem that celebrates the permanence of the natural a poem that celebrates the permanence of the natural

world and the wisdom of those who recognize the truth.world and the wisdom of those who recognize the truth.

““Coyote Finishes His Work” p. 21Coyote Finishes His Work” p. 21

Nez Perce taleNez Perce tale Retold by Barry LopezRetold by Barry Lopez Creation mythCreation myth

– Explains creation of the Explains creation of the IndiansIndians

– Explains the creation of Explains the creation of Indian cultureIndian culture

ArchetypesArchetypes– Coyote is the Coyote is the

archetypal tricksterarchetypal trickster– Earth-womanEarth-woman

– Old ManOld Man

““Coyote Finishes His Work” Coyote Finishes His Work”

Archetype: The trickster often takes the Archetype: The trickster often takes the form of an animal. What traits of Coyote form of an animal. What traits of Coyote help him to be a trickster?help him to be a trickster?

Where does Old Man Above send Coyote?Where does Old Man Above send Coyote?

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work” Coyote plays tricks on Indians.Coyote plays tricks on Indians. Coyote helps the IndiansCoyote helps the Indians

– Rids the earth of evil spiritsRids the earth of evil spirits– Teaches important skillsTeaches important skills

Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, and he sends Coyote to a resting place.and he sends Coyote to a resting place.

The Old Man leaves, too.The Old Man leaves, too. One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return.One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return. Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by

the spirits of those with near death experiences.the spirits of those with near death experiences. Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work”

Old Man Above sent “Coyote” to create inhabitants of the Old Man Above sent “Coyote” to create inhabitants of the world.world.– Coyote made “Indians” and spread around world Coyote made “Indians” and spread around world

Liked to play tricks and often got in troubleLiked to play tricks and often got in trouble

Old Man Above came down and told Coyote his work was Old Man Above came down and told Coyote his work was done.done.

Told the “Indians” that Coyote and he would return when Told the “Indians” that Coyote and he would return when the world needed changethe world needed change

Until then, they would live in the world of good/evil, Until then, they would live in the world of good/evil, trickery/fun, beautiful/ugly that Coyote had developedtrickery/fun, beautiful/ugly that Coyote had developed

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work”

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

Review of MythsReview of Myths

Myths and Coyote ReviewMyths and Coyote Review Create Your Own MythCreate Your Own Myth

Short Answers in NotebookShort Answers in Notebook

When did Western scholars begin to realize When did Western scholars begin to realize that Native Americans had an oral that Native Americans had an oral literature?literature?

In “The Sky Tree,” which animals make a In “The Sky Tree,” which animals make a place where Aataentsic can land?place where Aataentsic can land?

According to “The Earth Only,” which people According to “The Earth Only,” which people speak the truth?speak the truth?