1. Time Period: 1600-1760 THE BEGINNING: – The New England colonies are often considered as the birthplace of American Literature. – Colonists from England who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts wrote of their experience, their goals, and their interactions with the Native Americans. – Native Americans shared their cultural ideals and beliefs, and in combination with the new colonists, many stories began to circulate and to be handed down over time.

2. Why do we study this? The issues that new colonists found when moving to America are still the some of the same issues we face today with religion, race, government, and commerce. The decisions and actions from Colonial times have directly impacted our current ways of life: – Native American rights and land disputes – The battle for civil rights amongst all people. – Labeling those not in the mainstream as “others” and refusing to give them equal rights.

3. Native American Characteristics LITERATURE CHARACTERISTICS: – Oral storytelling that would be passed down word of mouth. – Storytelling was full of description, nature, and ceremony. – Creation myths and other beliefs of the ways of life were often the subject of Native American literature. – Very few stories were written down or recorded. – Written texts that do refer to Native Americans are from Colonial perspectives. Topics would include how the world was made, interactions with animals and nature, and spirituality.

4. Native American Literature (Continued) Origin Myths-Every origin myth is a tale of creation: origin myths describe how some new reality came into existence. In many cases, origin myths also justify the established order by explaining that it was established by sacred forces Folk Tales-a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people; any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition. Trickster Tales- in oral traditions worldwide, a story featuring a protagonist (often an anthropomorphized animal) who has magical powers and is characterized as a collection of opposites (all-knowing and dumb). The trickster sometimes serves as a scapegoat.