Native American Literature

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

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
World Turtles, Native American, Native Americans, Buffalo Coyote, Bare Oh, Water Monster, native american, native american literature, theme evil, american literature, personification anthropomorphism, american oral literature, native american oral, characteristics native american, oral literature, american oral, characteristics native, natural phenomenons, native americans, possums tail bare, Coyote Buffalo, happy endings,
Approximate Word count = 655
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)