Native AmericansHow Their History Has Shaped Their

Literature

Forgotten Language

Never written down before the English arrived from Europe

Stories were passed down verbally Generation to generation Population has fallen from 20 million to 2

million Most have ceased to exist Some are just spoken by older speakers only

A post-apocalyptic sense of life: after near extinction and destruction Native American writers often convey a sense that the

apocalypse, or end of the world, has already occurred

Tragic defeat Cultural destruction Survival and continuance

Adapting old stories and customs to new circumstances

Literary Themes

Literary Themes Being caught between traditional tribal

ways and modern, mainstream American society

A sense of community The power of language and stories

Interconnectedness of all things, focusing on relationships between animals, land, people, and language

An acute awareness of the loss of ancestral homelands

A response to Euro-American stereotypes of savagery and primitivism

Literary Themes

MythsLegendsShort StoriesPolitical Documents

Prominent Types of Literature

Myths Purpose: seek, explain, or rationalize one or more aspects

of world Characteristics

Religious or supernatural elements Immortal characters

Main Type Origin/Creation myth (how something began)

Animals are most important creatures on Earth If animals did not exist, humans would not

exist Creation Myth Video

What took place of the sun?Which animal was able to get mud?What did the animals spread the mud on?Who created stars, the sun, and the moon?The twins are born as representations of which two

biblical figures?

Creation Myths

Imagery Images formed in reader’s mind that represent

the story

Repetition Repeating something over and over to indicate

significance in the story

Symbolism Other meaning besides its literal meaning

Literary Devices Used

Exposition: how it all begins Rising Action: problem that leads to the conflict Climax: addressing the conflict Falling Action: action against the conflict Resolution: what happens afterwards

THERE MUST BE A CONFLICT TOHAVE A RESOLUTION

The Five Elements

Exposition: “Circle of Life” scene (setting and characters) Rising Action: Scar kills Mufasa (conflict: Simba needs to

prove himself worthy of being King) Climax: Nala puts Simba in his place about what he needs

to do to become King Falling Action: Simba fights Scar after learning that he

was the one who killed his father Resolution: Simba becomes King; he and Nala have a lion

cub who will one day become King

The Five Elements (Lion King Style)

Write a creation myth about something was createdClothing, food, school, Oklahoma, the world, etc.

Follow the characteristics of Native American Creation MythsAnimals are importantSymbolism, imagery, repetition

Must be 3 paragraphs (5-7 sentences per paragraph)

Tuesday’s Assignment (3rd Section)

Legends

Extended versions of myths Typically, humans are more central

characters Common themes

To explain the world To support customs To guide people

Legends: To Explain the World

Very similar to the idea of creation/origin Not just how the world began How concepts within the world began

Marriage Childbirth Workforce Politics Religion

Legends: To Support Customs

Customs: a widely accepted way of doing something

Provide evidence for their behavior/beliefs

Tribes vary in customs, rituals, values, overall lifestyle

Essentially: “We do this because…”

Legends: To Guide People

A lesson to be told How to live a good life Advice for a particular situation

• First-Hand Experience

• Personal beliefs

Political Documents

All tribes had varying political views General Purpose: laws that must be

followed in order to be considered a member of the tribe

Still use imagery and symbolism to emphasize significance

Read “The Iroquois Constitution” from pages 55-57 (silently). Answer questions 1-5 on pg. 58 in the 3rd section of your notebook. (1-2

sentences will work) Choose 1 from questions 8-10 to answer as well. (At least 3 sentences)

Due: Tomorrow (Will Have Class Time to Finish)

YOU SHOULD HAVE #1-5 +EITHER #8, #9, OR #10

Monday’s Assignment

Short Stories

The five elements are the backboneExposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action,

Resolution Common characteristics:

Centered on nature and/or animalsHistorical connections Imagery and symbolismMetaphors (not using “like” or “as” to compare two

or more things

Historical Fiction: stories to assist the reader in learning more about a historical event

Realistic Fiction: stories to show the reader this (or a certain occasion from the story) could happen to him/her

Fable-like: animals are central characters; goal is to teach the reader a valuable lesson

Short Stories: Genres Within

Wednesday’s Assignment

You will work in groups

1. Read “The Way to Rainy Mountain” together (aloud or silently)

2. Fill out the Five Elements of Plot handout (just one per group)

3. Summary Collaboration (one sheet of paper per group) Each member will summarize the story on his/her

index card. (2-3 sentences). The group will then use each member’s summary to

form one complete summary based on common ideas from each member (3 sentences).