Native American Literature
A detailed Summary of Native American Literature
Did you know that the Native Americans created the very first literature? They
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)
Category: English
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