Native American Literature
The themes in Power by Linda Hogan are centered around nature and the unity of nature and human beings. These are also themes that are touched upon in Sacred Hoop by Paula Gunn Allen. For the Native American, all creatures are united in a "sacred hoop," and all events are cyclic. Thus the symbolism used by Hogan focuses on images from nature. Most prominent among these is the panther, the snake, the tree called Methuselah, and the storm.
The Panther
The panther is seen not only as a symbol of the Taiga tribe, but also as the tribe's ancestor. But the Florida Panther that plays a part in the lives of Omishto and her aunt Ama, is ill and dying. The first appearance of this panther is in Omishto's dream, where she sees the panther in its illness. She relates this dream to Ama. Eventually the women go after the animal to kill it in order to save spare it the misery of dying from illness and hunger.
Ironically, this act of compassion is against the laws imposed by the colonizing Westerners. The Florida Panther is an endangered animal, and killing it for whatever reasons is not allowed. This shows the essential separation of the Western world from nature and from other human beings. The animal world is separated from the world of the West by ideals and laws that have little to do with the reality outside of the human concern. There is no sense of wholeness or connectedness with all living things.
For Ama and Omishto the killing of the Panther is essential, and indeed, the Panther communicates its desire for them to follow it on its last journey. There is not such communication between the animal and the police officers as representatives of the white colonizers, as they are not open to any communication of a nonverbal kind.
Eventually, after killing the panther, Ama is arrested and Omishto is scolded for helping to perform the illegal act. A kind of justice occurs when there is not enough evidence to convict Ama. Omishto then sees a healthy panther, which she tells to run. Omishto instinctively knows that...
Native American Comparison Native American literature is interesting in and of itself but also when the reader understands the cultural perspective of that population. Part of this interest comes from the fact that the Native Americans were the indigenous people of what would become the United States. When European colonists arrived, the Native Americans were put in the position of having to either assimilate to the new culture or to resist
He uses her head for the sun and other body parts for the moon and other heavenly bodies (Cusick, n.p.). Tapahonso's poem connects the newborn female infant with an August sunset, steam, and hot rocks. That Tapahonso chooses to describe the birth of a female infant is significant. Through this choice, in addition to her references to both mother and daughter in terms of natural occurrences, Tapahonoso establishes that
Black Elk utilizes his visions to create understanding of nearly all things he is later exposed to. The discussion in closing will further illuminate his utilization of vision, to ask for help for his people in a time of crisis. To discuss the vertical model of artistic communication it is difficult to narrow the filed to just one example, as Native American literature, and to a lesser degree film have
Most Native Americans would demonstrate exceptional tolerance to other religions but their own religious beliefs are based on nature. Even though years of assimilation had initially damaged the cultural roots of Native Americans, there is now a new kind of cultural and social change that we notice in this group. People are working hard to reclaim their cultural identity, which has triggered a gradual process of cultural renewal. This cultural
Write a new legend concerning the further adventures of the Frog Bruchac, James, Joseph Bruchac and Stefano Vitale (ill.). The Girl Who helped Thunder and Other Native American Folktales. New York: Sterling, 2008. ISBN: 9781402732638 1402732635. 96 pages, color illustrations. Juvenile literature. Retellings of twenty-four different Native American folktales and myths. Covers a wide array of different tribal beliefs/cultures. Accompanying illustrations also hint at different native American styles of visual design and aesthetic
American Indian Studies Native American Storytelling The group of people known as the Native Americans or American Indians are the native residents of the Northern and Southern American continents who are thought to have traveled across the Bering land bridge from Asia. When the new society and the already established, came together, years of imposed philosophy, domination and rebel warfare were begun. The great impediments of religion, ethics and world-views were the
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