1. Native American Literature
The Oral Tradition: The First “Songs” of America

2. Time Period/ Historical Context
Pre- European exploration and colonization
Pre-history- 1500s

3. Native American View of Nature
Universe is not dominated by human beings.
The natural world is beyond human control.
The earth is sacred.

4. Native American View of Humans
Humans are only a part of a larger natural cycle.
Animals and human beings are interchangeable.

5. Native American View of Society

6. Native American View of the Divine (God)
Believe in multiple gods and other supernatural beings.
These powers control the human world and the relationship between the human world and the spirit world.
Words and stories are a bridge between worlds and have supernatural powers, particularly the power of creation.

7. Purpose of Native American Literature
Stories were told orally and passed down through the generations.
Sacred stories from the past which offer explanations of the origin of the universe and life.
The myths are expressions of cultural values, institutions within society, and/or religious rites.

8. Universal Themes
Certain themes, insights into life presented in literature, are considered to be universal.
These universal themes are found in literature from around the world and from different historical periods.

9. What is a common theme in Native American literature?
Relationship with nature
-characters have positive and/or negative encounters with nature

10. Archetypal Characters
-character types that are found across cultures and in different time periods.

11. EARTH MOTHER
a character that is closely associated with both nature and fertility
Ex. Glenda the Good Witch (The Wizard of Oz)

12. TRICKSTER a char. that cons, cheats, deceives, or swindles other char.
Ex. Wile E. Coyote

13. Orphan
This character is searching for a home or place to belong. He or she is searching for who they are.