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Early American Literature

Early American Literature. Origin of Storytelling and the Trickster Tales. Native Storytelling. Myths unproven tales that explain a tradition, customary practice, or occurrence in nature Legends unproven story handed down from generation to generation Tales

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Early American Literature

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  1. Early American Literature Origin of Storytelling and the Trickster Tales

  2. Native Storytelling • Myths • unproven tales that explain a tradition, customary practice, or occurrence in nature • Legends • unproven story handed down from generation to generation • Tales • a rumor or piece of gossip relating to a story that holds some truth • Lyrics • words to a song (used to tell stories in Early America…and are still used)

  3. Why? • It is human nature to want to explain the unknown • These stories were often told to explain the big questions: (who are we? why are we here? where do we go when we die? who is in charge? purpose of life?

  4. Native Americans • Prior to European arrival, there was no written literature from Native Americans • Cause: Literature is very diverse • Tribes across America were very different in beliefs and government and therefore passed down very different stories

  5. Similarity in Native American Lit • Most Native literature presents the Earth and Nature as a living and acting force • Spirituality • Characters often include animals and plants

  6. Trickster Tales • Who is the “trickster” • can be many forms • (coyote, raven, spider, mink, rabbit…) • The “trickster” is different in European literature. Usually human form.

  7. Trickster is the spark • scandalous • attracts all the ladies (very highly sexed, often sexual misconduct) • disgusts • amuses • shifting shapes • outwitting the upper class • pranks • disrupts • humiliates • Modern Example: Steve Polycronopolus

  8. Most Popular Trickster • The coyote • Where have you seen the coyote represent a more spiritual or powerful being?

  9. Native American Trickster • Is not always the prankster or jokester • Often the creator of: • the earth • evolution (through his treachery) • transforming the world / earth • the trickster’s morals often conflict

  10. Tradition is important! • The tales must be told exactly as they were first were • often have strict rules about how and when they can be told • bad fortune may happen for one who does not obey the laws of the trickster tale • Some tales may be modified, some may not • Others may not leave the originating tribe

  11. Source: • http://www.pittstate.edu/engl/nichols/coyote.html • http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/oal/oaltoc.htm • Angenette Fudala’s website - Erdoes, Richard and Alfonso Ortiz, eds. American Indian Trickster Tales. New York: Penguin Books, 1998.

  12. Assignment: • Using the internet, find an example of the following: • Myth • Legend • Trickster Tale • Read each present for the class. Due Friday, August 31st.

  13. Presentation Requirements: • Posterboard divided into three sections • Printed copies of Myth, Legend, and Trickster Tale • Pictures included for each section • Bullet-points to guide your presentation

  14. Example Trickster Tale Myth Legend

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