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Four Functions of Myth, 2002.
Discusses four functions of myth pertaining to the Native American Hopi culture.
2,270 words (approx. 9.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 70.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses and analyzes the topic of the functions of myth, as defined by author Joseph Campbell in his book, "The Power of Myth". Specifically, it explains Campbell's four functions of myth and show how they are demonstrated in Native American Hopi culture. The Hopis of Northern Arizona epitomize the four functions of myth in their culture and society. Their society is based on myth, religion and spiritual celebration and they have held on to these myths when many other tribes have turned away from their spiritual and mythical past. The paper shows that the Hopi's myths relate to the earth, the natural world surrounding them and their dependence on this natural world for their survival. They understand the importance of myth in a healthy society and, because of this, they have one of the longest surviving Native American societies in the Southwest desert.
From the Paper
"The priests in the ceremony carry the snakes in their mouths as they circle a central plaza in the village where the ceremony is performed. After several groups of priests make their way around the plaza with the snakes, the snakes are gathered up by "snake gatherers," and carried out into the desert below the mesas, where they are released. If the dance is performed correctly, the Hopis believe it will bring rain (O'Kane 196-205). The Snake Dance is an excellent example of myth in its purest form, as it is the physical acting out of only one of the most important and vital Hopi myths. The myth relates directly to the health and well being of the community, and celebrates the wonder of the rain and the snakes and their relationship to the natural (and unnatural) world. It is their belief the snakes can communicate with the spirits who will send the rain, and to make the spirits happy, they must use just the right snakes, and then send them home (their release in the desert) to carry their message."
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Black Seminoles, 2002.
Explores the history of Black Seminoles.
4,067 words (approx. 16.3 pages), 12 sources, MLA, $ 109.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the origin of the Black Seminoles; a unique American population made up of American Indians and runaway black slaves. It describes how the Black Seminoles changed over time and how their culture reflected both African and Seminole elements.
From the Paper
"The Black Seminoles began in the early 1800s in the most remote and swamplike parts of Florida, places in the state where runaway black slaves believed that they might be safe from those who were looking to reclaim them as their property. While some blacks did try to escape to the North, this was an especially difficult task for slaves beginning in Florida: The Mason-Dixon line was a very long way off from Florida and many slaves believed that they would be recaptured or killed if they tried to make it all the way to the North. Thus they fled south, into the swamps where the Seminole Indians often took them in."
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"Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida", 2002.
A review of "Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida" by Jerald T. Milanich and Charles Hudson.
924 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how "Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida" by Jerald T. Milanich and Charles Hudson which chronicles the expedition of the titular Spanish explorer through which what was to de Soto?s eyes a New World and to the Native inhabitants a homeland. It analyzes how the New World that promised to enrich de Soto and his nation of Spain ultimately proved the cause of his demise and how de Soto?s expedition, more importantly, caused the demise of the Native way of life of those whom de Soto engaged in combat and in contact with. It looks at how the authors Milanich and Hudson attempt to present a more three-dimensional, non-European counter and compliment to de Soto?s work through the use of archaeological evidence.
From the Paper
"Milanich and Hudson do not take issue with the characterization of de Soto as a man bent on personal enrichment as well conquest, though they do view his reportage of his encounters with interest as well as trepidation. But their new archeological information regarding Native life provides the ?other side? that has so long been missing from accounts of de Soto?s expedition. Providing this ?other side? is particularly important, given that de Soto?s relationship with the Native Americans were more often than not, adversarial. Relying solely upon de Soto?s accounts as an objective source is not unlike relying solely upon the winning side?s words in evaluating a war."
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"Tracks", 2002.
A historical and literary review of Louise Erdrich?s "Tracks".
1,284 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 14 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews the novel ?Tracks" by Louise Erdich, which chronicles the lives of Ojibwa people living in North Dakota between the winter of 1912 and the spring of 1924. The challenges of becoming a member of a mixed society are many and within the novel "Tracks" can be seen the assumed realities of the changing world of the Chippewa people. The paper focuses on the lives of the Chippewa people and their interaction with mainstream America at the time.
From the Paper
"Rather early in the post-colonial phase, ?Tracks chronicles the lives of Ojibwa people living in North Dakota between the winter of 1912 and the spring of 1924.? (Stookey 1999) Scholarship on the issue of colonial native America has recently headed toward the interdisciplinary approach and has learned to embrace narrative fiction. ?The elements of a sound Native American history would include an interdisciplinary perspective, reconstruction of the American Indian experience, and a more complete description of how Native societies adapted to changing conditions."
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"A New Home?Who?ll Follow?" and "The Pioneers", 2002.
A literary comparison between "A New Home - Who Will Follow?" by Caroline Kirkland and "The Pioneers" by James Fenimore Cooper.
1,714 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews Caroline?s Kirkland?s "A New Home?Who?ll Follow?" and James Fenimore Cooper?s "The Pioneers". Both are novels from the nineteenth century that examine the life of the American frontier. This paper shows how the authors achieve their goals by examining the similarities and the differences between the two novels. The predominant theme each author uses is realism, focusing on elements that would create within us a sense of understanding about that era in time.
From the Paper
"In addition, similar descriptions of circumstances reveal to us the type of life one might expect in Cooper?s The Pioneers. Issues of concern and disputes relevant to that time are discussed in a way that help us understand how the settlers communicated with the natives. For instance, the deer that has been shot becomes a point of attention when an argument arises because no one can say to whom the deer belongs. Cooper demonstrates the ability of two different people being able to communicate with each other."
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Sherman Alexie, 2002.
Discusses how this explores the theme of the loss of Native American society in his novel, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven"
1,311 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
Sherman Alexie, in his book "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven", takes the role of the storyteller in society, the one who puts the attitudes and concerns of the community into narrative form. The paper shows that Alexie is dealing directly with the role of the storyteller in Native American society and how that role affects the social order, is fed by that same order and both conveys and creates myths as a result. The paper shows that a theme that recurs in the stories in this collection concerns the birthright of the Indian and the way it has been compromised by white society, which seeks to adapt it to its own uses.
From the Paper
"Poverty is another theme in this book, for poverty is the condition to which the people on the reservation have become accustomed as they have become more alienated from their birthright. This is also a condition passed from father to son: "On Christmas Eve when he was five, Victor's father wept because he didn't have any money for gifts" ("Every Little Hurricane" 4). This is another reason for the alcoholism, which in turn contributes to the poverty. A deadly cycle is thus created, a cycle that continues from one generation to the next with little sign of any change. There is some memory of earlier times when Indians believed they had achieved something by selling land or oil rights to whites, but that was an illusion. Poverty is the reality and alcohol the way to make it all seem better: "He thought one more beer could save the world.""
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"Desert Indian Woman: Stories and Dreams", 2002.
A book review of the book "Desert Indian Woman: Stories and Dreams," by Frances Manuel and Deborah Neff.
2,242 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 69.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the author Frances Manuel's tribal origins, and the way that anthropologist Deborah Neff wrote the book from Manuel's spoken words, and so sometimes these words appear as poetry, trying to capture the way Manuel actually spoke them. The oral history portrays the conflicts experienced by Manuel as she tried to reconcile her native Indian world with contemporary American life in Tucson, Arizona.
From the Paper
"It is quite obvious that the book owes much of its clarity and detail to the relationship that grew between Deborah Neff and Frances Manuel. Neff notes they were more alike than different (Manuel and Neff xxxviii), and it is quite clear Manuel not only trusted Neff with the story of her life, but she felt comfortable with her, comfortable enough to relate her stories into an ever present tape recorder. The two women were friends before they began working on this project and that of course would account for the camaraderie that is clearly present throughout the book. These two women enjoyed each other's company, and respected each other, which gave them the freedom and ability to share their stories, and collaborate to share them with the world."
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Michael Dorris, 2002.
A brief review of the life and works of Michael Dorris - a Native American author.
1,205 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Dorris?s many contributions, focusing on establishing Native American Studies as an academic area of study, his popular novels and short stories on Native Americans and his opus on fetal alcohol syndrome, a book that examined a personal issue which cut across ethnicities and cultures.
From the Paper
"Dorris was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 30, 1945. He was the only child of Mary Bessy Burkhardt Dorris, who was of Swiss and Irish descent, and of Jim Dorris, who was of French, English and Modoc Indian heritage. He grew up in Kentucky and later spent time with his father's family in Tacoma, Washington and in various Indian reservations in the Pacific Northwest. In 1981, Dorris married Louise Erdrich, a former student who was also an author and also part Indian. Their large family included three adopted children and three biological children (Chavkin and Chavkin, xxii-xxiii). Though their marriage seemed to be the perfect literary partnership, Erdrich and Dorris?s marriage was far from idyllic. During the last months of his life, the couple had separated and Dorris was exhibiting signs of severe depression."
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Race and Human Development, 2002.
Examines the question of race and its role in human intelligence and development.
2,485 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 75.95
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Abstract
This paper addresses the issue of race and its effect on human intelligence and development. It presents the position of Jared Diamond, the author of " Guns, Germs, And Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" who argues against the notion that race plays a role in human development and intelligence and then presents the position stated in "The Bell Curve". This book, by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray, assumes an exact opposite position and asserts that whites are inherently more intelligent than blacks and that intelligence is genetically inherited and basically fixed.
From the Paper
"So does race play a part in intelligence and human development? Diamond feels that the answer to that question is absolutely not. His theory is that history followed different paths for different races not because of biological factors, but due to social environments. Many historians and scientists feel that Diamond?s explanation is wrong and over simplifies the real issues of race, human development and intelligence. But Diamond feels that many historians and scientists, by seeming to be objective and impartial, legitimized racial theories in the eyes of many Americans who were otherwise prone to believe in the equality of all human beings."
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Native American Captivity, 2002.
Discusses the way several American women survived captivity among Native American tribes and their subsequent writings on their experiences.
813 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 28.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how Mary Rowlandson, Hannah Dustin, and Mary Jamison, were each in their own way, able to cope with their captivity. The paper discusses whether the captivity strengthened their understanding of Native Americans. It also looks at why some captives were treated harshly and others as family or tribal members. In addition, the paper explores why Native Americans took captives.
From the Paper
"The story of Mary Jamison?s capture is quite different from the other women?s experiences. Mary Jamison was taken captive by the Shawnee tribe while she was still a teenager. Her family was killed and the tribe adopted her as their own. Jamison actually became a part of the tribe and took a husband and had children. Jamison coped with her captivity by assimilating into the tribe that held her captive. Her ability to be a part of the tribe allowed her to cope with the loss of her family and her captivity."
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