told stories that used very consistent ideas. They used a lot of personification, and

anthropomorphism. In almost every story they told, animals or gods portrayed human

characteristics. Many of their stories explained some type of natural phenomenon. Their

stories also included a happy ending, and the theme of good over evil. These three ideas

are the most important characteristics of Native American oral literature.

First, personification and anthropomorphism are heavily used in Native American

literature. A good example of this is in "Why Possum's Tail is Bare". " 'Oh yes,' Possum

replied. 'I cannot miss the dance. I must show off my beautiful tail so everyone can

admire me!' "(Possum, 53). The possum clearly acts and talks like a human. In "Coyote

and Buffalo", the Buffalo and Coyote are smoking a pipe. This is an obvious human

phenomenon's, good over evil, personification and anthropomorphism. These

even broke the rules just like we do often. This displays the anthropomorphism in that

back. Then the woman began to walk in a circle around it, moving in the direction that

Second, the Native Americans explained many natural phenomenon's. They

She wouldn't give the old man her cake. Since the old man was god, he turned her into a

baked a cake it came out larger and larger with smaller and smaller amounts of dough.

explained how land was created in "The World on the Turtle's back". The wife planted

Some common words found in the essay are:
World Turtle's, Native American, Buffalo Coyote, Native Americans, Tail Bare, Native American's, Water Monster, native american, theme evil, native american literature, personification anthropomorphism, american literature, american oral literature, native american oral, characteristics native, natural phenomenon's, american oral, oral literature, characteristics native american, Coyote Buffalo, possum's tail bare, tail bare, natural phenomenon,
Approximate Word count = 655
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)