English III--Native American Synthesis Activity (in-class activity on August 19, 2024)

Native American Synthesis

Native American Literature

Synthesis of Ideas Within the Myth.  Use this exercise to brainstorm and have notes for your paper.  

Objective:  We have read a Native American myth in this class.  Now you have to reflect upon our discussion and reading to brainstorm and write about important ideas.

Part One:  The Importance of Textual Evidence--Significant Quotations.  For each of the ideas below, find a specific part of the story that you can link.  Quote the text and include the page(s).  Also, write a brief comment on the significance of that part of the text.

"The World on the Turtle's Back" 

1. Myth Link: Find a part of the text that you can link to the creation story of Adam and Eve.

2.  Faith Link: Find a part of the text that demonstrates a belief about God or something sacred.

3.  Relationship Between Man and Animals Link: Find a part of the text that shows the relationship between human beings and animals.  How would you describe this relationship?

4.  Importance of Women in Native American Culture Link:  Find a part of the text that reveals attitudes about women.

5.  Origins Link:  Find a part of the story that explains the origin of something.

6.  Symbolism Link:  Find a part of the story that is symbolic.  Explain.

7.  Ambiguity Link:  Find a part of the story that is ambiguous.

8.  Questions Link:  Find a part of the story that answers a specific question that humans have about the world.  What is the question? 

9.  Supernatural Link:  Find a part of the story that shows a supernatural element. 

10.  Mysterious Change Link:  Find a part of the story that shows something changing mysteriously and/or suddenly.

11.  Humor Link:  Find a part of the story that reveals Native Americans have a sense of humor.

Write a paragraph in which you elaborate on the messages in this tale.  Also, elaborate on the differences in world views/values between Native Americans and Europeans.