9/25/19
1
Origin Myths and Early Colonial Literature
Colonial American Literature
l Native American Literaturel Literature of Exploration - Virginial Northern Coloniesl Southern & Middle Colonies
What is a myth?The word itself comes from the Greek "mythos" which originally meant "speech" or "discourse"
9/25/19
2
Myth
A traditional story that deals with goddesses, gods, heroes, and/or supernatural forces. A myth may
explain a belief, a custom, or a force of nature.
Sacred Narratives
l A more culturally sensitive term for �origin myths� or �creation myths�
l No culture appreciates their beliefs being called �myths�…
Oral Tradition. . .
l Native American sacred narratives were not written down until just a few hundred years ago.
9/25/19
3
Four functions of “myth”:
1. To awaken us to the mystery and wonder of creation
2. To explain the workings of the natural world: every corner, every rock, hill, stone, and flower has its place and its meaning.
9/25/19
4
3. To pass down the moral and ethical codes that support and validate social customs.
4. To teach:to guide the people through
the trials of living
Sacred Narrativesl Explanation for how the world beganl Trickster- some one is creative curious and often
gets into trouble. Will sometimes find wisdom through their curiosity.
9/25/19
5
What or Whois he?
Trickster (Coyote)
Trickster (Coyote)
9/25/19
6
Trickster (Coyote)
Trickster tales:most tricksters (of literature) exhibit contradictory characteristics—
foolish yet clever
greedy yet helpful
immoral yet moral
Trickster tales:1. A strong character takes advantage
of a weaker character
2. The action may be repetitive3. The strong character remains
confident until the end
4. The story may teach a lesson
9/25/19
7
a.k.a:the creator
of �the-world-as-it-is�
The coyote:serves as a guide the landscape as well as a comic figure who is constantly tampering with the original creation of the world.
9/25/19
8
CoyotenCoyote is usually male and is generally
anthropomorphic although he may have some coyote-like physical features such as fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, tail and claws. The myths and legends which include Coyote vary widely from culture to culture.
nn
Coyote• In some stories he is a buffoon and the butt of
jokes and in a few is outright evil. His positive traits include humor and sometimes cleverness. His negative traits are usually greed or desire, recklessness, impulsiveness and jealousy. Coyote is often the antagonist of his brother Wolf, who is wise and good natured but prone to giving in to Coyote's incessant demands.
Coyote• In one myth, Coyote creates the first
people by kicking a ball of mud (sometimes a bit of feces) until it formed into the first man. In another myth Coyote is able to successfully impregnate an evil woman who has killed off all the other men in the world during the sexual act.
9/25/19
9
Essentials of Sacred Narratives
Characteristics of Narratives
n Major role in the stories is often played by animals
n Ordinary people, animals and places were divinities
n Often include spiritual outlook based on the Four Directions
n The early myths led into native legendsn All were originally oral stories passed
down for many generations
Features of Native Literaturel Stories teach lessons, often spiritual, and are
part of their historiesl They stories reflect an inclusive view of the
natural worldl They generally use powerful metaphorsl Use archetypes– a pattern of story of a type of
character that is used often in different stories over the ages
9/25/19
10
Features (cont.)
l The stories and legends often have ritual beginnings and endings
l Progress and change are shown as cyclical, not linear as many western thinking normally follows
l Many of the stories have a �trickster�character (often a raven, spider, or coyote)
l Often uses repetition of elements
Common themes
l Movement from a sky world to a water world
l Fortunate fall –creation storyl Earth-diver myth usually involving
an earth made from mud or a flood after the universe is created
l Theft of firel Emergence myth– movement of beings from
under the surface to the surface of the earth
Native American Literature
l The Earth on Turtle�s Backl When Grizzlies Walked Uprightl From The Navaho Origin Legendl From the Iroquois Constitution
9/25/19
11
Sky Woman (1936)By Ernest Smith
Iroquoisl Refers to six separate Native American groups –
Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onodaga, Mohawk, and Tuscarora
l All but the Tuscarora once resided in what is now New York State
l War with other tribes led to the formation of the �Iroquois League� in 1570
l For 200 years, Iroquois dominated other Native American groups and remained free from British and French rule
The World on the Turtle�s Back l Iroquois Creation Mythl Myth – Traditional story, passed down
through generations, that explains why the world is the way that it is.
l Creation Myth – A myth that explains how the universe, earth and life began
9/25/19
12
The World on the Turtle�s Backn Contains the idea that there is a sky world
above our world where supernatural beings exist
n A story of cause and effectl The actions of supernatural beings cause the
present features of the world to existl Explains how the land and other physical
features were formed
The World on the Turtle�s Back
n Expresses a Native American ideal of people living in harmony with nature
Theme
Your Homework
l Directions:l Write an origin myth that is one page handwritten OR
two pages double spaced if typed. l Your myth must include the following elements:
l Explain the origin of a phenomenon in nature (refer to examples discussed in class)
l Creation of man, animals, or the earth…l Use of as many Native American literature elements as possible
l DUE: Friday 9/27 in class.
