Unit 1 - Intro & Native American Literature

A type of Native American literature that recounts the creation of the world and its inhabitants. Often features sky father and earth mother figures creating the world, and various stages of evolution until all living things reach their final form.

A storytelling style common among Native Americans where the story is passed down through generations orally. It involves adaptability according to the audience, active participation of the listeners, and signifies cultural history.

A category of Native American literature that aims to teach moral and practical lessons about the natural world, emphasizing the interconnection of humans, animals, and the environment.

A recurring figure in Native American mythology characterized by divine ancestry, cunning, and deception to achieve their goals. This figure is often responsible for bringing significant changes or knowledge to the world.

Stories that are considered sacred and require specific conditions for their telling and reception. For example, some stories can only be told at certain times of the year, in specific ceremony, by authorized individuals, or to a select group of people.

One of the stylistic techniques used in Maya Angelou’s "On the Pulse of Morning" where she uses metaphors to compare the present moment to past events and future possibilities. The river symbolizes the present, the rock symbolizes the past, and the tree symbolizes the future.

A prominent theme in Maya Angelou’s "America," where she examines the broken promises made to marginalized communities, particularly those of color. The work explores how the country’s history of racism and injustice persists despite previous declarations of equality.

Maya Angelou's "America" and "On the Pulse of Morning" both explore themes of hope, change, and the need to learn from the past to create a better future, but the poems differ in tone and structure. "On the Pulse of Morning" emphasizes hope and optimism for the future through a hopeful tone, varied stanza lengths, and rhythmic verses. "America" is more somber in tone, utilizing two-line stanzas and a more restrained rhyme scheme to convey the long-standing history of broken promises and injustices.

The Navajo people, also known as the Dine, are the largest Native American nation in the United States. They have a rich oral tradition and a deep connection to the land and their ancestral stories. They are renowned for their weaving, jewelry, and art, often incorporating traditional symbols and motifs.

The Navajo creation myth tells a story of how the Dine emerged from the underworld through a series of worlds to reach the surface of the Earth. It involves powerful spirits, the creation of humans from natural elements, and the importance of corn, wind, and the Earth.

The Pima people, known as the "River People", are a Native American tribe with a strong connection to the Colorado River in Arizona. They are descendants of the Hohokam civilization and have a rich oral tradition that includes songs viewed as "overheard autobiographies" passed down through generations.

Pima songs are important to the tribe's history, culture, and identity. They are often based on real-life experiences and reflect the Pima relationship with the natural world. The songs are passed down through generations and serve as a powerful tool for preserving the tribe's heritage.

The Hunting Song is a traditional Pima song that incorporates the perspective of a deer. The lyrics reflect a hunter's success and warn against consuming the toxic thornapple plant. It highlights the Pima connection to the natural world and their understanding of the consequences of human actions.

The Mouse Song is a Pima song that tells the story of a mouse facing a flood. It emphasizes the Pima respect for the natural world and the shared living space between humans and animals. It highlights the oral tradition of passing down stories through generations, even from animals seen in dreams.

The Beaver Song is a Pima song with two perspectives: that of a beaver and that of a human. It showcases the beaver as a strong and powerful creature that can even "overthrow" trees. It exemplifies the fluid nature of Pima storytelling, incorporating different voices and perspectives within a single song.

Natalie Diaz is a contemporary Mojave poet known for her work addressing Native American identity, environmental justice, and the impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities. She draws inspiration from her own lived experiences and the rich oral traditions of her tribe. Diaz advocates for the protection of water resources and challenges harmful stereotypes.

In Diaz's poem "Why I Hate Raisins", she explores the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter, influenced by poverty and societal expectations. Raisins symbolize the mother's sacrifices, the lack of understanding between them, and the speaker's desire to fit in with dominant culture.

Diaz's poem "The First Water is the Body" emphasizes the vital connection between Native American people and water. It challenges harmful stereotypes of Native Americans as "Magical Red Indians" by highlighting the importance of water for their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The poem serves as a call to action for protecting water resources and respecting Indigenous water rights.

Puritan beliefs emphasized the rejection of worldly pleasures, hard work, humility, and material wealth as signs of being "elected" for salvation.

Puritan literature was didactic, meaning its primary purpose was to teach moral lessons and promote Puritan ideals.

Puritan literature favored a "plain style" characterized by short, direct language, everyday references, and a focus on clarity and instruction rather than artistic beauty.

The Salem Witch Trials were a period of mass hysteria and persecution in colonial Massachusetts, where hundreds were accused of witchcraft, and many were executed.

Puritan beliefs about witchcraft included the idea of people making deals with the Devil, possessing special powers (specters), having animal helpers (familiars), and certain physical signs like skin tags.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller uses the Salem Witch Trials as a metaphor for the McCarthy era's political witch hunts, exposing the dangers of mass hysteria and fear-based accusations.

The Red Scare was a period of intense anti-communist fear and suspicion in the United States during the Cold War, where people were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers.

Arthur Miller wrote "Why I Wrote The Crucible" to connect the events of the Salem witch trials with the McCarthy era's political witch hunts, highlighting the parallel patterns of societal paranoia and unfounded accusations.

Revolutionary War Era literature shifted from a focus on religious and moral instruction (Puritan) to a more public and political sphere, using literature to advocate for independence from Britain.

The Age of Reason, also known as the Enlightenment, emphasized logic, reason, and clear arguments in support of political causes.

Oratory is the art of public speaking, especially in a persuasive and skillful manner.

Rhetorical devices are techniques used by speakers and writers to persuade their audience through language.

Patrick Henry's influential speech "Speech in the Virginia Convention" was a powerful call to arms against British rule, urging colonists to fight for their independence.

Phillis Wheatley was a prominent African American poet who, despite being enslaved, gained recognition for her literary talents and was the first African American and first enslaved woman to publish a book of poetry in the United States.

In "To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth," Phillis Wheatley addresses Earl of Dartmouth, celebrating freedom and highlighting the injustices of slavery, showcasing her voice as a poet and social commentator.

A literary, philosophical, and artistic movement that emerged in Europe during the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, imagination, and individualism over reason and order.

A reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and logic, prioritizing subjective experience, emotion, and the power of nature.

A literary movement that celebrated individual expression, emotion, and the power of imagination.

The belief that personal experiences and subjective interpretation hold more significance than objective truth.

The importance of emotions, intuition, and instinct over intellect and reason.

Celebrating the power of the human imagination and its ability to create new worlds and experiences.

Nature as a dynamic force, capable of inspiring awe, fear, and wonder, acting as a powerful influence on human emotions.

A realm of experience that evokes awe, terror, and wonder, exceeding rational thought.

The passing down of stories and legends through oral tradition, reflecting a culture's values, beliefs, and fears.

A literary style that blends elements of the supernatural, mystery, fear, and the past into the present.

A prominent symbol in gothic literature representing the family and its connection to the house, often reflecting the state of the family within its structure.

The main character in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' who shows a deep connection between the Usher family and their decaying house.

A character in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' who represents the decay and decline of the Usher family, becoming a symbol of the family's downfall.

A key theme in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' highlighting the power of music to evoke emotions and depict the state of the family's decline.

A literary technique used in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' where Roderick's paintings foreshadow the events of the story, creating suspense and fear.