Native American Literature

First American Literature: Native Americans

Tears of the Forest

By: Lori Mellott

"As I slowly walk in this warm-blooded, vibrant, lush ,green forest fragrant with the scents of cedar, pine and a plethora of flowers all lovingly kissing me, I inhale the pungent, pleasing scent of earth enfolding me in Mother Earth's loving embrace. All that surrounds me pulsates and ripples with the melodious rhythms of life.

As I strip and stand contemplatively in the midst of this unending beauty, my senses pause, absorbing the exotic, erotic, beauty of it all. Hugging sister cedar tree I feel her heartbeat bursting with rich, robust life! She is strong and happy! Gazing at her I see her uncompromising strength, her magnificent size speaks to my soul telling me she has stood sentinel here for many, many moons

Listening to all her voices, I hear my feathered relations singing and nesting, bringing new life forth from the safety of her luxuriant hair. Her sweet, gently spirit speaks to my soul of spiritual freedom and honoring of the spirits. "Protect and treasure it" are the words and feelings flowing into my soul

Breathing deeply of the acoustically scented air, the sacred cedar's breath calms, cleanses, blesses and bolsters my spirit, giving me clarity of thought and renews my inner being. Contentment and connection flow within my spirit. All is walking in beauty

The harmony and tranquillity of this sacred, honored place is suddenly shattered by the horrific, thoughtless intrusion of modern technology! An ominous sound echoes throughout this sacred haven, a sound that promises death! a chainsaw! Big. Loud. Deadly. It is here to keep its deviant promise Its mechanical teeth, honed to razor sharpness glint in father suns brilliant light, flashing its message of death to all Mother's children. The mechanical blood of this steel demon drips silently onto the ground below polluting all it touches, finding yet another way to kill

The human force guiding this instrument of death's construction tightens its ghastly white grip and stands in front of my beloved and beautiful sister with grinning anticipation. It cannot wait to destroy this Mothers child!"

Diary: It pains me deeply to see my home, my friends from nature, my spirit guides, to be destroyed so callously. I feel their pain and sorrow, and I weep for their plight. How could someone be so cruel. These creatures have stood for so long and have gained so much knowledge that it is a grievous crime to kill them so quickly and without thought. Mother earth suffers as her children kill each other off. She wishes her children to live in harmony, but the white man seems to think himself superior. They need to take the time to feel the aura of life around the gnarled trunk, to hear the beautiful songs that the spirits sing as the wind whistles through the branches. Maybe if they took the chance to understand our ancient brothers and sisters they may not be so apt to kill them off so carelessly.

Reflection: This poem to me encompasses many different aspects of Indian culture. It discusses the unique connection that they share with the earth. The author uses strong language that helps you to understand exactly why such simple aspects of nature, that most people today take for granted, are so coveted in the minds of the Indians. This poem also fills me with disgust towards my white ancestors who fail to take seriously the importants of nature and how fragile it is. I feel ashamed that my ancestors were so careless and destructive when they callously took over North American lands.
http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/poems1.html#whathave

William Bradford

"Of Plymouth Plantation"

What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity," etc. "Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good: and His mercies endure forever." "Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men."

Diary: Our trip across the perilous seas to this strange land was not a pleasant one. Several succumbed to a sickness brought on by the relentless tossing of the sea. One boy of the age of ten died during the storms and sickness of the high seas. Once we arrived at the foreign land we were presented with the problem of finding a new home for ourselves. We succeeded in finding much needed water and some exotic foods. We did not succeed however in making friendly relations with our savage neighbors. They attacked with great force but with the grace of god we drove them off. We can only hope that further disturbances by these hostel men will not be suffered.

Reflection: This story reflected the many toils suffered by the early settlers. It also showed a great deal of conflict between the settlers and the native Americans. In this story, I believe that sympathy was suppose to be felt for the settlers who were "needlessly" attacked by the "savage" Indians, but I can see why the Indians would feel threatened by the strange white men who suddenly appeared and made themselves at home. The settlers took whatever food they found and intruded on grounds that Indians roamed for hundreds of years. The Indians just reacted to the confusion and fear of having their lands invaded. I believe that settlers should have considered this before they retaliated with such force.

http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/english/coke/bradford.htm

Bradstreet

Thesis: Bradstreet has several different elements in creating her poems, beginning with a general point that she is trying to make, which then slips into human emotion such as bragging that shows through her Puritan values, and finally ends in her reaffirming her faith in God.

Anne Bradstreet: Poetry
"To my Dear and Loving Husband"

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that Rivers cAnneot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence.

Thy love is such I can no way repay

The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.

Then while we live, in love let's so persever

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Diary: Dear husband, my love for you is such that it is difficult to adiquatly describe in words. I know that god has truly blessed our relationship. I am all the more greatfull to him that he has lead me to you. I know that god is all powerful and that I must be humbled by his very name. I find myself getting carried away at times when I think of you however. I believe that I am more blessed by god than most in this harsh world. Although god has set many trying times before me you are living proof that god has been kinder to me in my life than I deserve. Thank god for you.

Reflection: This poem is from a wife to her husband describing the depth of their love. I found this poem to be very touching and geniuine. It seemed so sincere the way the woman described her love for her husband and very passionate. Bradstreet shows her human flaws at times when she begins to brag to the reader about the sincerity of her love. However, true to her Puritain form, she attributes her good fortune to God in the end.

"In Reference to Her Children"

I had eight birds hatcht in one nest,
Four Cocks were there, and Hens the rest.
I nurst them up with pain and care,
No cost nor labour did I spare
Till at the last they felt their wing,
Mounted the Trees and learned to sing.

Reflection: This poem is using a metaphor comparing Bradstreet's children to eight birds. She uses this metaphor to describe her intense love and devotion to her children. It was very touching how she expressed her love so sincrely for her children. Her whole life seems to revolve around them and she says that even when she's old she will be living with the vivid meories of them. This poem truley acts to describe the love a mother feels for her babies and how protective she is over them.

"Upon the Burning of This House"

And to my God my heart did cry

To straighten me in my Distress

And not to leave me succourless.

Then coming out, behold a space

The flame consume my dwelling place.

And when I could no longer look,
I blest his grace that gave and took

Reflection: This poem was confusing to me at first, but when I studied it further I realized that it is a womans struggle within herself about the human emotions to feel sorry for herself and her loss, and her Puritan beliefs that God knows what is best. I know that it must be hard for her to surpress her distress over the loss of her home and to say that God knows best. I myself would not be able to hold onto my beliefs so strongly. I envy her and the strength of her beliefs but at the same time I feel sorry for her and her inability to express her true feelings.

http://www.annebradstreet.com/verses_upon_the_burning_of_our_house.htm

Edward Taylor

"Huswifery"

Make me, O Lord, thy Spinning Wheele compleat;
Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.

Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate,

And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.

My Conversation make to be thy Reele,

And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele.

Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine:

And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills:

Then weave the Web thyselfe. The yarn is fine.

Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills.

Then dy the same in Heavenly Colours Choice,

All pinkt with Varnish't Flowers of Paradise.

Then cloath therewith mine Understanding, Will,

Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory;

My Words and Actions, that their shine may fill

My wayes with glory and thee glorify.

Then mine apparell shall display before yee

That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory.

Reflection: This poem is a mans prayer to God. He uses an analogy to a spinning wheel to ask God to make his life intertwined with his religion. He obviously feels very strongly about his relationship with God and he wants God to be part of his life. He wants all of his words and actions to be blessed with the grace of God.

Huswifery mimicked

Make me oh lord thy blossoming flower;
Your holy words my fragile roots make.
Make my affections the wholesome stalk,
And my soul the life giving leaves.
My conversations make thy chlorophyll,
And feed the blossom thereon grown of your stalk.

Make me then lord thy wreath, entwine therein thy flower:
Make thy holy spirit, lord, the vine base:
Then piece the wreath thyself, the foliage is tender.
Thine ordinances make thy bright ribbon atop.
Then perfume the same in heavenly scents of choice,
All spiced with sweet cinnamon and cloves.

Then hang upon my home mine courage, respect,
Patience, understanding, and peace of mind;
My word and actions may gracefully greet,
All passerby with your glorious way through me who doth glorify you.
Then my dwelling shall display before you,
That I enter a holy home for glory.

Johnathan Edwards

Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God!

"We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that any thing hangs by: thus easy is it for God, when he pleases, to cast his enemies down to hell. What are we, that we should think to stand before him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down?"

Diary: People make there own destinies, but whether or not they succeed in fulfilling them is entirely up to God. At each moment the decisions that are made by man keep them on unsure footing. Will their decisions be made with the grace of God and keep them standing tall? Or will the devil enter their midst and cause them to slip and take their last fatal step into darkness? God is the determiner of who walks in the light and who is cast into the shadows. No man should believe themselves mightier or more powerful than God. God is the almighty, he is the giver of life and the one who shall decide if it need be taken away!

Reflection: This sermon discusses Edward's profound belief in God's power. He believe that nothing is more influential in our lives than God's grace. He is the one guiding every step man makes. It anger's the author how some men dare think themselves able to make whatever decision they want and still be able to control where their foot falls in the end. He believes these m,en are the ones that deserve the full experience of God's wrath. He thinks that their insolence should land them in hell. Not only shall they land their but they shall suffer every imaginable torment for they are wicked! Edwards views to me seem a bit harsh but very passionate.

Olaudah Equiano

The Life of Gustavus Vassa

"'Sometimes when a white man take away my fish, I go to my maser, and he get me my right; and when my maser by strength take away my fishes, what me must do? I can't go to any body to be righted; then,' said the poor man, looking up above, I must look up to God Almighty, in the top, for right.' This artless tale moved me much, and I could not help feeling the just cause Moses had in redressing his brother against the Egyptian. I exhorted the man to look up still to the God on the top, since there was no redress below."

Diary: I have witnessed so much cruelty and have suffered much myself. How is it that men can be so cruel to one another? You are suppose to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but why is it that this doesn't seem to apply to my people? Are we not men just the same? Actually no, we are not the same. We don't submit our brothers under God to such unspeakable treatments. In these years since I have been taken I have been taught the Christian ways. It confuses me however that it is as though Christian actions are not to be disposed upon us, although we must treat others with every kindness and respect. I have seen men beaten till dead, whipped till broken, and tortured until they long to take their last breath; even if they must take it from themselves. It is such a pitiful sad thing that such cruelty must exist!

Reflection: This selection was difficult to read. The tortures that the Africans were exposed to were to horrible to imagine. Discrimination is a dirty ugly thing and I hate that it had to exist. It was hard to read about somthing so terrible. Things like that you try not to think about, but I suppose it's good to understand what others have had to endure because it builds appriciation for what we are given. I want to know how those slave drivers could ever imagine that when they would dstand before God they could look at him with clear consious and say that they deserved to be there. They killed, raped, beat, and starved teir fellow man and still believed themselves good upstanding Christians. How does someone become that deluded?

http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/Equiano.html

Patrick Henry

"Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!"

"We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. "

Reflection: This speech made by Patrick Henry is telling citizens to stand up for what is right and just. He is saying that we must not shut our eyes or turn our heads away from unpleasentries, but rather, to face them head on. In this case he trying to pursuade the public to open their eyes and see that there is a war approacing that needs to be fought in order to gain freedom. He wants people to have courage and sense to be able to meet the challenge that the war is going to present.

http://www.liberty-page.com/foundingdocs/givemeliberty/main.html

Thomas Paine

Selection from "The Crisis No. 1"

Reflection: Like in Patrick Henry's speech, Paine is also calling men to go to war. He wants them to face the truth, that the war is inevitable if freedom is desired.

Interviews

How Have You Lived The American Dream?

Lorie Lucas

“An American Dream is to do well for yourself. I’ve done well for my self, I mean; I have a house, children, cars, and dogs. This was all made possible because I had access to educational resources and job opportunities. The American dream is not dependent on your heritage, it doesn’t matter if you’re from a rich family, or a poor family, or a titled family. I achieved my American dream through a good education and hard work.”

Betty Minchew

“My American Dream came form humble beginnings. Back then all we knew was to be a homemaker and provide for our families. I didn’t even think about going to college. The things in life that I wanted I had to work differently to achieve. I have achieved my American dream. I have a home and a family and that was all I ever dreamt of having.”

Personal Extension

How Have I Lived My American Dream?

At this point in my life I don't know what my American dream is exactly. All I know is that whatever I do in life I want to be happy. Happiness to me would be doing something I love and being successful at it. The only problem is that I haven't found exactly what it is that I love to do. For now achieving my dream will just be to do well in school so that I can ready myself for what ever path presents itself in my life. Although I am still very young I have met many obstacles in my life. In each situation I ask myself what I have to do to ultimately be happy and I act according to that. Whether it be to finish an assignment so that I can get a good grade, or something a bit more serious that deals with my family. I am hoping that I will find my happiness in the end and in doing so achieve my American dream.