American Studies ETDs

Publication Date

7-4-1975

Abstract

This three-essay study examined European-American political and social treatment of Native Americans, and European-American interpretations of Native American literature. It proceeds from the hypothesis that the Euro-American conception of Native America differs greatly from the Native American's conception of himself. Recent examinations of the relations between European and Native Americans have revealed that the American treatment of aboriginal people was a consequence of basic European attitudes, rather than a reaction to Native American conduct. These same attitudes have colored literary studies just as they have colored all aspects of American-Native American relations.

The aims of the research were to study assumptions Native Americans make about themselves, to show how these assumptions are reflected in their social and literary systems, and to similarly analyze European-American interpretations of Native American narratives, showing how they reflect European values. The overall perspective of these essays is that of a Native American viewing the issues raised from a Native rather than a European point of view.

The first essay deals with Native American effects on American culture and the neglect of these effects by students of American culture; the female-bias of Native American systems and the male bias of European-American compilers and interpreters of Native American literatures, societies and philosophies. The second essay concerns itself with Native American value systems and how these are articulated and reflected in symbolic and formal structures. The last examines the relationship between myth and personal vision and the functional place of both within Native American systems. It makes specific reference to the Sweet Medicine myth of the Cheyenne and to Black Elk, the contemporary Oglala medicine man. In all of these essays, the issues are considered from the point of view of both the Native American and the European-American. The paper includes several original poems which are to be seen as illustrations of the various issues under consideration in each of the three essays.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

American Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Patricia Clark Smith

Second Committee Member

Joel M. Jones

Third Committee Member

Gwen S. Argersinger

Comments

The UNMUL recognizes that due to its historical nature, this item may include racially and/or ethnically based language and content that may be biased, harmful, and oppressive.

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