1. Native American and Early Colonial Literature

2. The first people… Native Americans immigrated over the land bridge from Asia in 35,000 BC Native Americans immigrated over the land bridge from Asia in 35,000 BC The first Europeans settle in North America in 1600’s. The first Europeans settle in North America in 1600’s. The last colonies were settled in 1732. The last colonies were settled in 1732.

3. Colonial American Literature American literature begins with the orally transmitted myths, legends, tales, and lyrics (always songs) of Indian cultures. There was no written literature among the more than 500 different Indian languages and tribal cultures that existed in North America before the first Europeans arrived. As a result, Native American oral literature is quite diverse.

4. Oral Tradition... Before European colonization, hundreds of nations of Native Americans existed. Oral tradition began approximately 40,000 years ago-. Before European colonization, hundreds of nations of Native Americans existed. Oral tradition began approximately 40,000 years ago-. Each culture developed its own stories and mythology-each had a unique culture and heritage Each culture developed its own stories and mythology-each had a unique culture and heritage Stories embodied the tribe’s past and told of its close relationship with the natural world Stories embodied the tribe’s past and told of its close relationship with the natural world No single author – created by an entire people No single author – created by an entire people

5. Characteristics of Native American Literature Native American literature, emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. Elements of nature are seen as alive and aware. To Native Americans, human beings do not have dominion over nature; they are part of nature and must act to maintain a right relationship with the world around them.

6. Native American storytelling is characterized by its sense of a ceaseless or circular movement of time. (Just like the natural world itself---- such as changing seasons and cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.) Native American storytelling is characterized by its sense of a ceaseless or circular movement of time. (Just like the natural world itself---- such as changing seasons and cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.) For example: the yearly Sun Dance of the Plains Indians. This ceremony celebrates the concept of sacrifice by having dancers endure a ritual ordeal in honor of their religion. For example: the yearly Sun Dance of the Plains Indians. This ceremony celebrates the concept of sacrifice by having dancers endure a ritual ordeal in honor of their religion.

7. Contributions from the Native Americans The Indian contribution to America is greater than is often believed. The hundreds of Indian words in everyday American English include "canoe," "tobacco," "potato," "moccasin," "moose," "persimmon," "raccoon," "tomahawk," and "totem."

8. Native American Literature: Myths

9. Myth A traditional story, passed down through generations, that explains why the world is the way it is. Events usually result from the actions of supernatural beings.

10. Four functions of myth:

11. 1. Creation Myths : To awaken us to the mystery and wonder of creation. Explain how the universe, the earth, and life on earth began.

12. 2. Origin Myths: explain how aspects of the world such as landforms, animals, bodies of water, etc., came into being. explain how aspects of the world such as landforms, animals, bodies of water, etc., came into being. Origin myths also explain the beginnings of societal beliefs and customs Origin myths also explain the beginnings of societal beliefs and customs

13. 3. Moral Myths: To pass down the moral and ethical codes that support and validate social customs. To pass down the moral and ethical codes that support and validate social customs.

14. 4. To teach: to guide the people through the trials of living to guide the people through the trials of living

15. Quick Write What different accounts of creation- biblical, scientific or stories from family or other cultures have you heard or read? Write a brief response to what you believe and how you came to know it… What different accounts of creation- biblical, scientific or stories from family or other cultures have you heard or read? Write a brief response to what you believe and how you came to know it…

16. What is an archetype? An archetype is an pattern that has appeared over and over again in literature throughout the ages. Archetypes can be: plots (boys wins girl, good vs. evil), characters (the trickster, the hero), or images (golden cup, hoarded treasure).

17. Archetypes in Native American Literature In Iroquois myth, Sky Woman gives birth to twins, one good, and one evil. This explains the eternal struggle between light and dark and between order and chaos. In Iroquois myth, Sky Woman gives birth to twins, one good, and one evil. This explains the eternal struggle between light and dark and between order and chaos.

18. Trickster Tales The coyote is another common archetype: the trickster hero. The coyote is another common archetype: the trickster hero. The trickster hero breaks the rules and causes trouble while also often saving the day in the end The trickster hero breaks the rules and causes trouble while also often saving the day in the end Will sometimes find wisdom through their curiosity.

19. Colonial Period

20. The first migration to the Americas was not by the British. The first migration occurred 20 – 40,000 years ago when Ice Age Hunters traveled from Siberia to Alaska. The first migration occurred 20 – 40,000 years ago when Ice Age Hunters traveled from Siberia to Alaska. Slowly these people and their descendents migrated south. When European exploration began, these were the people who were living in the “New World.”

21. In 1492, Columbus “discovered” America. Taking Native Americans with him to Spain, stories began to circulate about the wonders of the New World, about its exoticism and bountifulness.

22. Spanish and French explorers wrote about this new world in over-exaggerated styles, praising its beauty, making it appear as Al Dorado (the place of hopes and dreams). America was viewed as the land of plenty, the land of peace and hospitality, the land of riches

23. This brought hope for those who were being prosecuted across the world. When Europeans began voyaging to this world, they unleashed diseases such as smallpox, measles, typhus, and so on, on the Natives, who were also enslaved and mistreated. In the face of this, Native American population began to decline rapidly, and thus, Spain introduced African slavery in 1501

24. The period of European exploration brought with it a huge body of literature that is referred to as a literature of witness or exploration narratives The early settlers brought with them their knowledge of written communication with its particular style and content. They wrote about their new experiences in forms that were familiar to them – letters, factual records, sermons, and poems.

25. Captain John Smith: A Description of New England (1616)

26. The Landing of the Pilgrims, 1620, relief by Enrico Causici on doors of U.S.Capitol Rotunda (1825)

27. Remember : This passage to the New World was filled with memories of the violence of the old country and the fear of the unknown terrors of the new one: the loss of home, of kinship (relationships, connections), of worldly possessions, of cultural and personal identity

28. Captain John Smith: Captain John Smith: The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624) The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624) The Generall Historie is Smith’s most comprehensive discussion of conquest and exploration and stands today as an exemplary text in the exploration literature of the 16th and 17th century William Bradford: William Bradford: Of Plymouth Plantation (1650): a journal comprising the story of the Pilgrims and the early years of the founding of their colony (from 1608 to 1647) Of Plymouth Plantation (1650): a journal comprising the story of the Pilgrims and the early years of the founding of their colony (from 1608 to 1647) Christopher Columbus: Christopher Columbus: From Journal of the First Voyage to America (1492): a journal written nine days after Columbus Arrived in the Americas From Journal of the First Voyage to America (1492): a journal written nine days after Columbus Arrived in the Americas Exploration Literature

29. Pocahontas

30. Your Homework tonight Directions: Directions: Write an origin myth that is at least one page typed (Double Spaced), 1” margins, 12 pt. Font) Write an origin myth that is at least one page typed (Double Spaced), 1” margins, 12 pt. Font) or two pages (front and back written) Your myth must include the following elements: Explain the origin of a phenomenon in nature (refer to examples discussed in class) Explain the origin of a phenomenon in nature (refer to examples discussed in class) Creation of man, animals, or the earth Creation of man, animals, or the earth Must include an Immortal Being Must include an Immortal Being