Elements of Native Elements of Native American StoriesAmerican Stories

Elements:Elements: Man’s attitude and relationship with Man’s attitude and relationship with

naturenature Balance/coexistence of good and evilBalance/coexistence of good and evil Animal’s relationships with humansAnimal’s relationships with humans The manner in which humans view The manner in which humans view

animalsanimals

ElementsElements PolytheisticPolytheistic MatriarchalMatriarchal ImperfectionImperfection Oral tradition – tribe authorshipOral tradition – tribe authorship

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales Type of folk taleType of folk tale Main character (animal or human) Main character (animal or human)

typically engages in deceit, typically engages in deceit, violence, and magic.violence, and magic.

Often ‘ mythic’ in natureOften ‘ mythic’ in nature

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales Tricksters are ARCHTYPAL: Tricksters are ARCHTYPAL:

they are found in literary works they are found in literary works from different cultures throughout from different cultures throughout the ages. In Africa the trickster is the ages. In Africa the trickster is a hare or spider. In Japan it may a hare or spider. In Japan it may be a fox.be a fox.

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales The trickster demonstrates The trickster demonstrates

contradictory qualities: he is contradictory qualities: he is foolish yet clever, greedy yet foolish yet clever, greedy yet helpful, immoral yet moral.helpful, immoral yet moral.

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales These tales are usually grouped in These tales are usually grouped in

cycles, and consist of a series of cycles, and consist of a series of stories focusing on the adventures stories focusing on the adventures of the trickster character.of the trickster character.

Trickster TalesTrickster Tales Each story involves an incident to Each story involves an incident to

which the trickster responds, which the trickster responds, often leading to a violent or often leading to a violent or absurd conclusion.absurd conclusion.