American Literature

Prehistory - 1800 American Literature

“American literature begins with the first human perception of the American landscape expressed and preserved in language.” • N. Scott Momaday

First Americans • Scientific evidence proves that the first Americans traveled across a land bridge that existed between Alaska and Russia crossing the Bering Strait • Migrating south and east the people became separate thriving societies.

Central Traditions of Native Americans • The land is sacred – a living entity that benefits all life and that must be treated with great respect. No one can own the land. • Lives are organized around cycles of nature, not around concepts of past, future, and progress

Traditions continued • Traditions pass verbally from generation to generation through folktales, fables, and sacred stories. • Speechmaking and storytelling are important parts of life.

Myth • An anonymous, traditional story that relies on the supernatural to explain a natural phenomenon, an aspect of human behavior, or a mystery of the universe. • Creation Myths • Origin Myths – (creation of stars, mountains)

Myths Emphasize • The spiritual relationship between the Creator, humans, and the natural world. • The duty of humans to maintain a balance in the natural world.

Totem • Some clans believed that they were descendents of an animal – Bear, Eagle • The group then honored this animal and in return the animal became the guarding spirit

Trickster • A common animal with a two sided personality • Tricksters were rebellious, defied authority, and at time created trouble and chaos. • Curious, clever and creative figures who would demonstrate wisdom

Common Tricksters • Coyote • Wolf • Raven • Crow • Mink

Native American Literature • Gave a sense of order • Identified a group of people • Used to help heal sick people • Ensured food supplies • Initiated teens into adulthood • Taught moral lessons

Tribes • Brule Sioux – belong to the 7 Western Sioux tribes (FR. – brule`) –burned. Very traditional about their customs like the sun dance, the sweat-lodge ceremony, the vision quest. Today they occupy Rosebud reservation – in southwestern SD.

Tribes • Cherokee – one of the so-called Five Civilized Tribes. Wealth and fertile land were the Cherokees’ undoing. They were removed from their land in the East and marched the infamous Trail of Tears, which led them to the territory of Oklahoma.

Tribes cont. • Cheyenne – (FR.- chien) meaning “dog” because of the ritual dog eating. Moved from the Great Lakes region to the Plains. Lived in tipis hunted buffalo, great horsemen, and brave warriors. Allied with the Sioux tribes – Settled on Lame Deer Reservation, Montana.

Tribes • Cochiti - A pueblo situated on the Rio Grande south of Sante Fe, NM. Their original home is now Bandelier National Monument. They are known for farming, jewelry making, and pottery.

Tribes • Osage – Plains Indians originally located in KS, MO, and IL. According to legend they originated in the sky and descended through 4 layers of sky. Later they received four kinds of corn and four kinds of pumpkin seed which fell from the left hind legs of four buffalo. Now live in Indian territory in OK.

Tribes • Zuni – the first Pueblo that encountered the Spanish. The legendary city of gold – After the Spanish conquest and 12 years after the Pueblo Revolt the Zuni fled to the top of a high inaccessible mesa. They eventually built at Halona(ancient site) and have dwelled there since. Thirty miles south of Gallup, NM.

American Literature