Second Set of Questions for EN 211

Above is a picture of the grandmother who is telling a story about Coyote, using the medium of string.  Below is a Tlingit Raven dancer.

Good evening :)

I hope that everyone enjoyed our entry into Native American literature -- and American literature.  On Friday, we will discuss the Navajo creation myth of the Emergence and the Coyote tales at this blog entry:

http://en202.blogspot.com/2014/01/trickster-tales-for-2014.html

Also, here is a link to a Haida story on the Flood:

http://www.pyramidmesa.com/haida1.htm

We will cover the other trickster tales on Monday, time permitting.

Here are links to the videos we watched pieces of in class:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJOd_HuCal0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J65NZJ-W_U

These videos may be worth looking at as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCjooh6oUSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qdcG7Ztn3c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3QcybRFc0

Here are some questions to mix in with Monday's (or perhaps Friday's).

-- In what ways are these stories we've looked at literature?  Why?  How could they fit into a class like EN 190 or your high school classes?

-- In what ways are these stories more like myths (like the Greek tales)?

-- In what ways are these stories more like artifacts like a pot or a piece of jewelry?

-- How do the storytelling videos help you understand the stories more fully?  Should an anthology of Native American literature also include a CD or website with videos?  Why?  Why not?

-- How did the information on orality help you understand the stories more fully?  

-- What does the story of the Emergence add to our understanding of Native American creation myths?  Or to your understanding of Navajo culture?

-- Compare the Haida story of the flood to other stories of the flood (Genesis, Gilgamesh, etc.) that you know.  What does the Haida story add?  How is it particularly American?  (Note that the Haida live in British Columbia and Alaska.)

-- Based on the stories about Coyote, what does a trickster seem to be? Do any stories contradict the others?  Why?

-- Based on the stories about Coyote, what is he like?  Do any stories contradict the others?  Why?

-- If you are familiar with Looney Tunes' Coyote, how is that Coyote different from the Native American Coyote?  How are they similar?

-- What do the stories about Coyote tell you about the cultures they come from?

-- Here are some more stories about Coyote.  What do they add?  Do they contradict any of the earlier stories?  

http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore86.html

http://www.snreview.org/0205Lockwood.html

-- If Coyote were to go to Montgomery Country or DC, what would his adventures be like?  Why?

 

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing what you have to say!

Dr. Szlyk