Warm –up:
• Think of a true story that either your parent,
grandparent, or older family member has told you about
your family. This story must explain something about
your family and be something you will definitely repeat
to either a younger family member or to your own
children.
• Be ready to tell this story yourself! (under 3 minutes)
Native American
Literature
Native American Literature
• Oral Literature- stories passed down from
one generation to the next told in
households and in tribal ceremonies.
Native American Literature
• Oral Literature- stories passed down from
one generation to the next told in
households and in tribal ceremonies.
America’s oldest form of literature.
Native American Literature
• Myth- anonymous, traditional story that
explains something unexplainable (such as
lightening, childbirth, or creation.)
All Myths have Archetypes
Native American Literature
• Archetypes- a symbol, story pattern, or character
type that is found in the literature of many
cultures.
Ex. –good/evil twins
-the innocent
-the hero
-the explorer
-the sage
-the trickster – (common in Native American Lit)
Native American Literature
• Trickster- frequently an animal who speaks
and displays other human traits and has two
sides to its personality. Rebels who reveal
wisdom.
Examples?
How the World was Made -Cherokee of the Great Smoky Mountains
• Turn to page 24
• What seems familiar to other stories you have
heard?
• Why do you think Cherokee people told myths
(stories)to explain creation? What other cultures
explain natural phenomenon through stories?
Creation Myths
• Think of the creation myth you read yesterday, How the World
was Made.
• What are three similarities you noticed in this story that are
similar to other stories/myths from other cultures?
• Create a quick synopsis of “how the world was made” according
to the Cherokee myth (you may use pictures to explain the
process)
Creation Myths
• Read The Sky Tree, (pg. 35) another myth, from the Huron tribe.
• Create a synopsis using pictures and words to describe how the
world was made according to the Huron tribe.
Creation Myths
• Compare/Contrast these stories, how are they alike/different?