The sun still rises in the same sky Write about what you think this phrase means.

The sun still rises in the The sun still rises in the same skysame sky

Write about what you think this Write about what you think this phrase meansphrase means

NATIVE AMERICAN NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURELITERATURE

Oral Literature: Myths and legendsOral Literature: Myths and legends

Functions of the MythsFunctions of the Myths

The purpose was to show:The purpose was to show: Beliefs about the nature of physical world Beliefs about the nature of physical world Beliefs about social order and appropriate Beliefs about social order and appropriate

behavior behavior Beliefs about human nature and the problem Beliefs about human nature and the problem

of good and evilof good and evil Preservation and communication spiritual Preservation and communication spiritual

beliefsbeliefs

Characteristics of N.A. MythsCharacteristics of N.A. Myths

Major role in the stories is often Major role in the stories is often played by animalsplayed by animals

Ordinary people, animals Ordinary people, animals and places were divinitiesand places were divinities

Often include spiritual outlook based Often include spiritual outlook based on the Four Directionson the Four Directions

The early myths led into native legendsThe early myths led into native legends All were originally oral stories passed down All were originally oral stories passed down

for many generationsfor many generations

Features of Native LiteratureFeatures of Native Literature Teach lessons, often spiritual, and are part of Teach lessons, often spiritual, and are part of

their historiestheir histories Reflect an inclusive view of the natural worldReflect an inclusive view of the natural world They generally use powerful metaphorsThey generally use powerful metaphors Use archetypes– a pattern of story of a type of Use archetypes– a pattern of story of a type of

character that is used often in character that is used often in different stories over the agesdifferent stories over the ages

Features (cont.)Features (cont.)

The stories and legends often have ritual The stories and legends often have ritual beginnings and endingsbeginnings and endings

Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not linear as many western thinking normally linear as many western thinking normally followsfollows

Many of the stories have a “trickster” Many of the stories have a “trickster” character (often a raven or spider)character (often a raven or spider)

Often uses repetition of elementsOften uses repetition of elements

Common themesCommon themes

Movement from a sky world to Movement from a sky world to a water worlda water world

Fortunate fall –creation storyFortunate fall –creation story Earth-diver myth usually involving Earth-diver myth usually involving

an earth made from mud or a flood an earth made from mud or a flood after the universe is createdafter the universe is created

Theft of fireTheft of fire Emergence myth– movement of beings from Emergence myth– movement of beings from

under the surface to the surface of the earthunder the surface to the surface of the earth

Native American PoemsNative American Poems

More properly called "songs"More properly called "songs" Created for tribal occasions such as initiation Created for tribal occasions such as initiation

rites, healings ceremonies, and planting or hunting rites, healings ceremonies, and planting or hunting ritualsrituals

used to pass on tribal history, standards of ethical used to pass on tribal history, standards of ethical conduct, and religious beliefsconduct, and religious beliefs

Economy of language was also commonEconomy of language was also common Commonly-used parallelisms and repetitions of Commonly-used parallelisms and repetitions of

similar or contrasting phrases often create the similar or contrasting phrases often create the effect of "rhyming thoughtseffect of "rhyming thoughts

N.A. Poems (cont.)N.A. Poems (cont.)

The songs may be grouped as The songs may be grouped as 1) songs of healing 1) songs of healing 2) songs of growth or germination2) songs of growth or germination 3) songs of vision and dream 3) songs of vision and dream 4) songs of death.4) songs of death.

A Papago song about an eagle A Papago song about an eagle

The eagle sings:The eagle sings:The sun's raysThe sun's raysLie along my wingsLie along my wingsand stretch beyond their tips.and stretch beyond their tips.A grey little whirlwindA grey little whirlwindIs trying to catch me.Is trying to catch me.Across my pathAcross my pathIt keeps whirling.It keeps whirling.

Images and suggests the eagle's lofty and Images and suggests the eagle's lofty and majestic presence, but is that all the poem majestic presence, but is that all the poem means? means?

According to Dr. Ruth Underhill, the According to Dr. Ruth Underhill, the translator, a Papago would explain the poem in translator, a Papago would explain the poem in the following manner: "[He would] visualize the following manner: "[He would] visualize the eagle with all his peculiarities. Thus his the eagle with all his peculiarities. Thus his power is asserted, and being what he is, the power is asserted, and being what he is, the superior of man, he will cleanse man from superior of man, he will cleanse man from impurities, free him from disease, and ward off impurities, free him from disease, and ward off death"death"

In-Class Writing AssignmentIn-Class Writing Assignment

Write a creation style myth about how Write a creation style myth about how something in nature was created.something in nature was created.

You can select any topic you wish.You can select any topic you wish.

Examples:Examples: why the sun turns colors as it setswhy the sun turns colors as it sets how some places turned cold and snowy how some places turned cold and snowy

and others notand others not