Native American Literature & Culture

1. Native American Literature & Culture Functions of Literature 1. Beliefs about nature of physical world 2. Beliefs about social order and appropriate behavior 3. Beliefs about human nature and the problem of good and evil

2. Common Figures 1. Culture heroes a. Dramatize prototypical events and behaviors b. Show how to do what is right and how we become the people we are c. Shape the world and gives it its character by theft of sun, fire, or water d. Often of divine birth e. Myths are not concerned with original owners, only with culture hero's acquisition of them 2. Trickster heroes (Raven, Spider) a. Provide for disorder and change b. Enable us to see the seamy underside of life c. Remind us that culture is finally artificial d. Provide for the possibility of change e. May be over-reachers who gets their comeuppance

3. Themes 1. Formation of the world through struggle and robbery (Pacific coast) 2. Movement from a sky world to a water world by means of a fall (Iroquoian) 3. Fortunate fall; creation story 4. Earth-diver myth • a. flood that occurred after creation of the universe b. recreation of the present world out of mud brought up from under the water by the earth-diver (muskrat or waterbird) • 5. Theft of fire 6. Emergence myths: • a. ascent of beings from under the surface of the earth to its surface b. ascent from a series of underworlds • 7. Migration myths: accompany emergence myths

4. Literary Techniques/Devices 1. Repetition: The return of a word, phrase, stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. Repetition is an effective literary device that may bring comfort, increase memorization, suggest order, or add special meaning to a piece of literature. 2. Enumeration: detailing parts, causes, effects, or consequences to make a point more forcibly: a chronological sequence of events; repetition of important amounts. 3. Incremental development: stages of development 4. Ritual beginnings and endings: according to custom 5. Use of archaic language or terminology

5. Techniques/Devices continued 6. Specific structure according to groups (Pima, Papago) a. Introduction: harmonious situation b. Thesis: one or more episodes showing disruption of harmony c. Antithesis: measures employed to overcome disruption d. Conclusion: restored harmony completed by cycles of four or some power of four (four songs four nights, etc.) enumeration • 7. Terse (neatly brief and concise) style

6. Genre/Style: Sermons, diaries, personal narratives Written in plain styleWritten as informational text Puritan/Colonial Period 1650-1750

7. Effect/Aspects • Instructive • Reinforces authority of the Bible and church • Historical Context • A person’s fate is determined by God • All people are corrupt and must be saved by Christ

8. World View/Social Views • World View: is providential: Theism (specifically Calvinist). Trust in God regardless of circumstances. • Brotherly love, belief in the power of the Gospel, did not separate religious life from secular life. • Social View: governmental theocracy: They are the new Israelites in the Promised Land, after exile from Europe

9. Self Concept/Knowledge • Self Concept: very conscientious, people of prayer, responsibility, and accountability. • Knowledge: comes from grace, Scripture (studied original languages, almost all were educated at Oxford or Cambridge). Preached expository sermons to cover all of Bible. Established Harvard in 1636, education extremely important.

10. View of Nature/History • View of Nature: Literal Genesis Creation, the living work of God, but most were not naturalists. • View of history: Supernatural, the Seen and the Unseen worlds that co-exist.

11. Key Literature/Authors: • Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation • Rowlandson's "A Narrative of the Captivity" • Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" • Though not written during Puritan times, The Crucible & The Scarlet Letter depict life during the time when Puritan theocracy prevailed.

12. REVOLUTIONARY/AGE OF REASON PERIOD1750-1800 Genre/Style • Political pamphlets • Travel writing • Highly ornate style • Persuasive writing

13. Effect/Aspects • Patriotism grows • Instills pride • Creates common agreement about issues • National mission and the American character

14. Historical Context • Tells readers how to interpret what they are reading to encourage Revolutionary War support • Instructive in values

15. Knowledge/Three characteristics of Enlightenment • Knowledge: Lockian empiricism, through senses and reason, based in experience • Three characteristics of Enlightenment • Emphasis on reason to discover truth for self about humanity and the world • Skepticism towards all traditions and authorities of the past, no assumptions • Rejection of medieval scientific thought, emphasis on Newtonian intellectual scientific method

16. World View/Social View • World view: natural laws are discoverable, Deism- the belief that God created all, but since has remained rather hands-off. (clockwork universe, celestial watchmaker) • Social view: democracy, common man is more moral, closer to truth, Constitution is "machine" to set government in motion

17. Self Concept/View of Nature • Self concept: social, member of a community, be a good citizen, social works • View of Nature: mechanical, scientific, follows laws/rules, hierarchical separation of God, Man, Nature

18. Examples • Writings of Jefferson, Paine, Henry • Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac • Franklin's "The Autobiography"