Native American Literature.pdf

NATIVE AMERICANLITERATUREThe Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky

Native American Literature A living oral tradition Never treated with same respect as Western orEuropean literature Yet Western literature has roots in oral tradition(The Odyssey; Beowulf) Thousands of epics, songs, poems, oratories, andchants not recognized until 1800’s

Challenge for Scholars Translating hundreds of different languages New American Indian authors have revitalizednative American literature by combining Englishfluency with knowledge of tradition

Native American Literature Use stories to teach moral lessons & conveypractical information about the natural world Reflect an inclusive view of the natural world Show awareness of the power of metaphor Are passed on from generation to generation Reflect a belief in the cyclical nature of existence