Unit 1: Literature from the New World
This unit is divided into 2 sections:
Native American & Puritan.
Who were
America’s
first
settlers?
• Ice Age hunters
– Traveled with dogs, crossed Bering
Land Bridge (now under Bering Strait)
from Siberia to present day Alaska 2040K yrs ago
• By 1492, the year of Columbus’
“discovery”, there were numerous groups
of Native Americans scattered throughout
continent
Alaska
Siberia
Describe
the
literature
of Native
Americans.
• Did not use written language
• Stories passed from generation to
generation through oral
storytelling & singing
• One common type of literature
called “origin myths”
Describe
origin
myths.
• A story used to explain how something
was created (how something
originated):
– For example, the world/universe, man and
women, a natural landmark, a particular
group of people, a tradition
• Similar to what we know as the Adam &
Eve story
• Often feature immortal beings
– Sometimes with animal characteristics
– Sometimes non-gender or female (to
represent mother earth)
• Contain cultural details
– References to objects, animals, &
customs that show how people in
different societies behave, think &
worship.
Vocabulary
In your notes, copy the vocabulary & definitions
on p. 15
Your test will be based on the previous notes,
vocabulary & the upcoming readings.
Cultural Details
“Earth on Turtle’s
Back”: What does
this tribe value?
How do you know? What
happens in the story to make
you think this?
Dreams
They pull up the tree after the
Chief’s wife has a dream about it
Animals
The animals are responsible for
saving Sky Woman & creating
the earth
Many animals were unsuccesful
but they didn’t give up &
eventually succeeded
Teamwork/effort/
strength in numbers
Cultural Details
“Grizzlies”: What
does this tribe
value?
How do you know? What
happens in the story to make
you think this?
Spirits
Responsible for creating nature
Grizzly bears
Responsible (along w/spirits) for
the creation of Native Americans
Cultural Details: Find 4 examples
“Navajo Origin
Legend”: What
does this tribe
value?
1.
2.
3.
4.
How do you know? What
happens in the story to make
you think this?
Cultural Details
“Navajo Origin
Legend”: What does
this tribe value?
How do you know? What happens in
the story to make you think this?
Corn
Wash themselves w/it, lay it out &
becomes human
East/West (rotation of the
sun)
Buckskins & corn laid in this direction
Yellow/White (sun/moon)
women wash w/yellow, men w/white;
yellow turns into woman, white into man
Wind
Gave them life
The # 4 & multiples of it
On the 12th day; called for the gods 4
times, 8 mirages appeared, walked around
4 times
Test Review Questions
1. In Earth on Turtle’s Back, many animals try to
bring up the earth & fail. The muskrat also has
difficulties, but he eventually succeeds. What
message do we learn from this?
2. What does each story explain?
3. Cite a cultural detail from each story.
4. In The Navajo Origin Legend, why do you think
there is an emphasis on how the corn is placed?
5. Review Vocabulary