TRICKSTER TALES
Rabbit and the Tar Wolf
Characters:
Rabbit, the other animals.
General themes:
Do not steal!!!
Conflict:
1. There is a drought
Resolution:
1.The animals decided to dig a well
Conflict:
2. Someone is stealing water from the well (the animals believe it is rabbit)
Resolution:
2. The animals created a wolf made of pine gum and tar in order to catch the thief
Examples of humor:
1. The rabbit was trying to beat up an inanimate object
2. The rabbit got his hind foot stuck in the tar wolf and could not move
Examples of irony;
1. We know before rabbit that the what he is yelling at and threatening to kick is
not actually a wolf
Protagonist: Rabbit
Antagonist: The other animals
How the Rabbit Fooled Alligator
Characters: Rabbit and Alligator
General Themes: Be careful who you trust
Conflict:
1. Rabbit vs. Alligator- Rabbit tells Mr. Alligator that the devil thinks he is scared
of him
Resolution:
1. Alligator shows that he is not scared of the devil
Conflict:
2. Alligator gets tricked by Rabbit
Resolution:
2. Alligator will never trust the trickster Rabbit again
Examples of humor:
1. The animals talking to each other like people
2. How a little rabbit was able to trick an alligator
Examples of irony:
We knew that the Rabbit was tricking the Alligator the whole story
Protagonist: Rabbit
Antagonist: Alligator
HISTORICAL NARRATIVES
The Iroquois Constitution
Dekanawidah, a Iroquois prophet, speaks about the Tree of Great Peace
that gives shelter and protection to the Iroquois nations. He explains how
the Five Nations, a group of five Iroquois tribes, should come together to
form a union or confederacy for their common good.
1. Metaphors and their meanings in the “Iroquois Constituion”:
- The central metaphor of the speech is the Tree of the Great Long
Leaves. According to legend, Dekanawidah first saw this tree in a
dream
- The tree represents peace through unity
- Dekanawidah uses the thickness of the council lords’ skin as a
metaphor for their ability to resist anger and criticism.
- The planting of the Tree of Great Knowledge is the establishment
of peace among the five nations.
- The mighty warrior to the moon shows the greatness and vastness
of the mighty warrior
- The Great White Roots spreading to the north, south, east, and
west show the spreading of peace and strength among the five
nations
- The deer antlers represent lordship/greatness
2. What does the “Iroquois Constitution” tell us about the tribe’s
value system?
They valued mutual respect, cooperation, ritual, peace, and unity.
3. In what ways does the “Iroquois Constitution” emphasize the
link between man and nature?
The Iroquois nation chose a tree and its roots as their symbol to
show what they hope to create.
Agricultural was their main source of food.
4. Stereotypes disproved!
Savages- they were calm and welcomed all people as long as they
had clean minds and were obedient and promised to obey the
wishes of the Confederate people. Their hearts were filled with
peace and good and they believed in patience.
Warlike- they hope to achieve peace among the five nations. They
placed an Eagle upon the Tree of Long Leaves and if the Eagle
saw any evil approaching or danger threatening he would warn
the Confederacy: THEY ALL WANTED PEACE!
Godless- they were very spiritual people who had lords for each of
the five nations
Stupid- they created laws that looked out for the welfare of all of
their people. They took into account not only their present
members, but their coming generations
Lawless- they have a set of rules among their tribes—all five
nations shall obey these laws