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Scott Momaday's "A House Made of Dawn", 2002.
Analysis of this novel and what makes it unique, examining why it deserved the Pulitzer Prize.
1,213 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper shows how, on the surface and upon first reading, "A House Made of Dawn" sounds and appears to be like every other Native American novel - focus on the typical patterns of return and homing. But a closer study of the novel's tone, themes, structure and diction reveals that its fame is intricately connected with its unique non-stereotypical illustration of Native American views and emotions. This paper focuses on various different aspects of the novel to show why it is different from other similar writings and why it truly deserved a Pulitzer Prize.
From the Paper
"It is a rich, metaphorically lyrical tale depicting Native American's situation in a big white world of America. The story may appear rather puzzling to those who are unable to move with the author from one location to another almost in the blink of an eye. The tone of the novel isn't disturbing as that of some other native pieces but is certainly thought provoking. But the one thing that I found highly amazing and unique about this novel is the fact that it isn't exactly written for white people to make them feel guilty and ashamed. It is actually written for Native Americans so that they are able to come to terms with the core of their misery and confusion as Indians surrounding by arrogance of whiteness."
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The Life of Black Elk, 2002.
A look into the life of Black Elk (1863-1950) - a Native American religious leader of the Oglala Lakota band of the Sioux tribe.
1,878 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 60.95
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Abstract
By examining the life of Black Elk, this paper provides a brief historical tour of the life of a typical Native American being confronted with the advancing white pioneers attempting to move Westward. It explores the events of various battles that took place between the pioneers and the Native Americans and the involvement that Black Elk had in each of these. It focuses specifically on the saga of the Sioux tribe.
From the Paper
"According to the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia (2002), Black Elk (1863-1950) was a Native American religious leader of the Oglala Lakota band of the Sioux tribe. Black Elk, who at the age of 17 had a vision of the Lakota people rising up and freeing their lands from the white settlers, tried to find ways of reconciling his people's traditions with Christianity and the encroaching reality of white dominance. This vision was a famous one among the Sioux in which the Powers of the World told Black Elk of a "fearful road, a road of troubles and of war. On this road you shall walk, and from it you shall have the power to destroy a people's foes" (Neihardt, p. 29). Reality, unfortunately, would prove to be quite different. The whites were eventually successful in obliterating the Native Americans' way of life and subjugating the peoples."
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Literature on Native American History, 2002.
An analysis and comparison on two works relating to Native American history.
2,456 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 74.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses and compares "The Treaty of Canandaigua 1794: 200 Years of Treaty Relations between the Iroquois Confederacy and the United States" by G. Peter Jemison and Anna M. Schein and James Wilson's "The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America". The paper shows that "The Treaty of Canandaigua" provides an in-depth analysis of the treaty and its effects on both the Native American and European population of the United States, while "The Earth Shall Weep" encompasses the lives and history of many diverse Native American tribes, over almost their entire known history.
From the Paper
"Interestingly, James Wilson is not a Native American, and yet he writes The Earth Shall Weep as if he were. Wilson's analysis is clearly written outside of the Eurocentric, Christian view that has dominated the world stage for so long. As such, Wilson's review of Native American history is fresh and inviting. He manages to create a somewhat balanced overview of the indigenous North American population, while never idealizing or demonizing their culture. As such, Wilson's somewhat detached viewpoint works wonders in this lengthy (480 page) work by creating a book that is both instructive and balanced.
This balance is especially refreshing give the tendency of many books on native American culture to be written either from a dry, academic standpoint, or from a somewhat naive and idealistic viewpoint of indigenous North American culture. Wilson's book gives a useful review of Native American history without falling prey to the either extreme of analysis. As such, the book is engaging and readable, without being overbearing or exclusionist in its point of view."
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Literature of the Southwest, 2002.
A look at four works of literature which represent the spirit of Southwestern America.
2,118 words (approx. 8.5 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 66.95
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Abstract
Southwestern American literature forms a distinct genre with a sharp flavor that includes land, geography, attitudes and people. Four novels, Tony Hillerman's "Dance Hall of the Dead", Edward Abbey's "Fire on the Mountain", Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses", and Rudolfo Anaya's "Bless Me, Ultima" are disscussed in this paper to present a partial menu of this exceptionally pungent mix.
From the Paper
"Within the harsh realities of llanero life, Anayo shows us the spirit of the Chicano people who inhabit this bleak land. He gives us what Paul Beekman Taylor calls the wings of survival: "the spirit's soar to salvation (where) flight merges quests for art with the soul's inclination toward its source; that is, worldly with spiritual aspirations" (Taylor unpaged). Antonio's spirit is one with the spirit of the llano: "The summer came and burned me brown with its energy, and the llano and the river filled me with their beauty" (Anaya 76). His soul immerses itself in the mystery of Ultima's magic, in order, in the words of Taylor, to achieve "flight from chains of church, national identity, and parental ties" (unpaged), to learn to be himself and survive in this land."
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Tecumseh, 2002.
A biography of the life of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh through the accounts of two different historians.
1,083 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, born in an Indian village near Dayton, Ohio, in March 1768 and one of the most successful known Indian leaders. It compares how the two main authorities on him, John Sugden and David Edmunds, convey Tecumseh, his life as well as his accomplishments. It discusses how Sugden and Edmunds exhibit extremely divergent writing styles and approaches to their topics, and how both give clear and compelling accounts of the man Tecumseh and his motivations. He was a great man and it is no wonder so many authors have attempted to tell his story.
From the Paper
"Edmunds' story is also well written and compelling, and like Sugden, he gives personal glimpses into the man, made possible by his research and understanding of his topic. Both men place thoughts and actions in the character's heads, and thought they could not have known what these historic people were really thinking, they had a very good idea through their immersion in their topic, they both understand the motivations and beliefs of the historic characters in the story, because of their intensive study of their subjects. "
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Native American Imagery, 2002.
An exploration of the creation of Native American imagery by nineteenth century artists, Edward Sheriff Curtis and George Catlin.
2,181 words (approx. 8.7 pages), 15 sources, APA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
The "American" public has always had an interest in the lives of Native Americans. During the early 1800, this curiosity blossomed in a fascination. The paper shows that unfortunately, most Americans were content to relegate all Native Americans into this caricature of the "noble savage", dehumanizing them, and few settlers sought to understand the culture of the Natives whose land they were occupying. Fortunately two nineteenth century artists, Edward Sheriff Curtis and George Catlin did not share the same view. This paper discusses how these men dedicated their lives to the study and preservation of Native American tribal culture for posterity by creating imagery based on the Native American people. Although their methodology, content, and style were dissimilar, (Curtis used the camera and Catlin worked with oil paint), their goal was the same, to capture and record the essence of America's indigenous people through art.
From the Paper
"Countless numbers around the globe have benefited from the information gathered during the 1800's by Edward S. Curtis and George Catlin.
Without these records many of the customs and heritage that we know of as "Native American" might be lost today.
It is easy to be critical of Catlin's paintings when judging it against the realism of Curtis' photographs, but the goals of the two men were the same. The sincerity, accuracy, and honesty of the collections that were compiled by the ethnographists transcend their work from the category of mere art to the palate of life."
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Native American Art Review, 2002.
This paper analyzes the art review of a Native American art exhibit at the American Craft Museum.
982 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses "Changing Hands", an art review of a major Native American art exhibit at the American Craft Museum by critic David Revere McFadden. It opens with an overview of the exhibit itself and its highlights. The review, and the critic's 'authority' to report on the exhibit are then discussed. Finally, there is a commentary of the effect the critic's piece has upon one's desire to view the exhibit.
From the Paper
"Changing Hands, the exhibit features several art forms of Native America. The artists who have displayed their work have given examples of both traditional and more contemporary pieces - for example a reconstructed earthenware vessel of the type that might have been used centuries ago for water or other liquids. The several art forms shown by the Changing Hands exhibit include wool rug and vegetable dye; gold bracelet work inlaid with larimar, lapis lazuli,sugulited, shell, coral, obsidian and opal; earthenware sculpture; an acrylic collage on wood; glass and copper vase; cottonwood root sculpture; leather beltwork of silver, coral, turquoise, and serpentine; coral necklace with gold and pearls; pendants of gold, wood, silver, coral, turquoise, opal, shell, and lapis lazuli; earthenware canteens and jugs; hinged silver buckles; earthenware tiles of sand, copper, and oil on a wooden panel; sand media on wood."
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"Dance Hall of the Dead", 2002.
A review of Tony Hillerman's book "Dance Hall of the Dead" with an emphasis on Zuni and Navajo spiritual practices.
3,380 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 96.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Tony Hillerman's book "Dance Hall of the Dead"about a Navajo policeman who investigates the murder of a young Zuni. It discusses how no one, outside an initiated practitioner in a Native American religion can really comprehend the true significance of its beliefs and rituals and how Hillerman in this novel makes an excellent beginning in differentiating between spiritual beliefs of Zuni and Navajo. It shows how the Zuni religion can be seen to be extensively different from the religion of the Navajo's in the two tribes' rituals, burial practices and beliefs in an afterlife. It uses outside sources to confirm and expand on the understanding of these varied spiritual practices.
From the Paper
"For the Navajo, spirituality permeates all areas of life and is rooted in nature. Daily life proceeds upon Mother Earth and under Father Sky. There is no word for religion in the Navajo language, not because there is no religion, but because religion is not separate from life. There is nothing but religion, otherwise known as life among the Dineh, or the People. Rituals, prayers, legends and songs, are scarcely ever out of their minds. The Navajo create sand paintings and hold sings such as the Enemy Way, the Blessing Way, the Flint Way and the Mountain Top Way to cure illness and to help them surmount the problems of life on earth (Waters 248-249). From the Navajo point of view, as Frank Waters puts it, "religion is the way of life" (Waters 396)."
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Cherokee History: The Trail of Tears, 2002.
This paper discusses the background, detail and the aftermath of the foreceful eviction of the Cherokee tribe from its ancestoral lands in 1838, an event known as the "Trail of Tears."
2,075 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 65.95
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Abstract
The paper introduces the Cherokee - one of the largest tribes of Native Americans in the United States. It shows how their survival is a tribute to their remarkable resistance since in the harsh winter of 1838 and 1839, the entire Cherokee tribe was threatened with extinction during an event that is known as "The Trail of Tears." The paper examines one of the darkest moments in American history, when the Federal troops under the orders of the United States government forcibly evicted the entire Cherokee tribe from their ancestral lands in Georgia to Oklahoma during a cruel 1000 mile forced journey. Out of a total of 16,000 Cherokee people, over 4000 men, women, and children died of hunger, disease, and exposure to the elements on the trail. The paper discusses how "The Trail of Tears" symbolizes the callousness with which the United States government treated the Native Americans due to greed and prejudice inherent in human nature. It covers the background, events and aftermath of the "Trail of Tears."
From the Paper
"The Cherokee tribe bravely suffered their ordeal on the Trail of Tears setting to work in their new home. They built homes, schools and churches. They set up a government and named their capital "Tahlequah" that is still the cultural center of the Cherokees and the source of documented evidence of their history. The Indians were on the way of recovery from their ordeal when another devastating event intervened: The American Civil War. The Cherokees aligned themselves with the Confederacy since the South had promised that when the war was over they would be permitted to form their own state. After having supported the British during the American War of Independence, the Cherokee had again chosen the wrong side. So when the North won the Civil War, the Indians, were duly penalized. Most of their lands guaranteed by previous treaties were taken from them and their sad plight continued."
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The Sioux, 2002.
A look at the history of the Native American Sioux tribe and its position in American society and culture today.
3,104 words (approx. 12.4 pages), 14 sources, APA, $ 90.95
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Abstract
This paper traces the fascinating history of the third largest Native American tribe in America, the Sioux. It shows the way the Sioux have fared socially, culturally and economically as a tribe living among a white majority in the United States. he paper also examines the book, "Land of the Spotted Eagle", by Luther Standing Bear in which he offers an analysis of his people, the Lakota Sioux, including their relations with the white government. Finally, the paper examines the means in which the Sioux, as well as other Native American tribes, are struggling to maintain their cultural identity in America today.
From the Paper
"Various Native American groups have been pressing for greater respect through legal and other efforts to remove Native American symbols and names from schools, sports teams, and even geographical features. The issue was raised recently with reference to the University of North Dakota, whose mascot and team are known as the Fighting Sioux (Brownstein 46). The issue is not always clear-cut. One term that has been given much attention recently is "squaw," a word once used by white settlers to refer to Indian wives and that is found on hundreds of place names in the country, from rivers to valleys to mountain peaks to town names. An example is Squaw Peak, a familiar Phoenix landmark targeted for change by Native American groups. They claim that the word "squaw" is derogatory to tribal members and all other women, pointing out that the word is derived from an Indian word for female genitalia."
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