🛶Latin American Literature – Before 1900 Unit 12 – Native American Lit: 19th Century

Historical Context

• 19th century marked a period of significant change for Native American communities across the Americas
• European colonization and westward expansion of the United States led to displacement, forced relocation, and cultural assimilation of many Native American tribes
• Native American literature during this time often reflected the struggles and challenges faced by indigenous communities in the face of colonialism and cultural erosion
  • Works addressed themes of identity, loss of land and tradition, and resistance to assimilation
• Despite the adversity, many Native American authors sought to preserve their cultural heritage and traditions through their writing
  • Oral storytelling traditions were adapted into written form, ensuring the survival of important cultural narratives
• The 19th century also saw the emergence of the first Native American novels and autobiographies, which provided valuable insights into the lived experiences of indigenous peoples
• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Trail of Tears had a profound impact on Native American communities, particularly in the southeastern United States
• The establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1824 and the implementation of assimilation policies, such as the boarding school system, further contributed to the erosion of Native American cultures and languages

Key Authors and Works

• William Apess (Pequot) - "A Son of the Forest" (1829), one of the earliest Native American autobiographies
  • Apess's works addressed issues of identity, Christianity, and the treatment of Native Americans by white society
• George Copway (Ojibwe) - "The Life, History, and Travels of Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh" (1847), an autobiography that provided insight into Ojibwe culture and the challenges faced by Native Americans in the 19th century
• Sarah Winnemucca (Northern Paiute) - "Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims" (1883), an autobiographical work that advocated for the rights of her people and criticized the U.S. government's treatment of Native Americans
• Zitkala-Sa (Yankton Dakota Sioux) - "American Indian Stories" (1921), a collection of stories and essays that explored themes of cultural identity, assimilation, and the impact of boarding schools on Native American children
• Charles Alexander Eastman (Santee Dakota) - "From the Deep Woods to Civilization" (1916), an autobiography that chronicled Eastman's journey from traditional Dakota life to becoming a physician and advocate for Native American rights
• E. Pauline Johnson (Mohawk) - "The White Wampum" (1895), a collection of poetry that celebrated Mohawk culture and challenged stereotypes about Native Americans
• Simon Pokagon (Potawatomi) - "The Red Man's Rebuke" (1893), a pamphlet that criticized the celebration of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government

Themes and Motifs

• Identity and cultural preservation - Native American literature often explored the struggle to maintain cultural identity in the face of assimilation pressures and the loss of traditional ways of life
  • Authors grappled with the challenges of navigating between Native American and Euro-American cultures
• Loss of land and displacement - Many works addressed the impact of forced relocation and the loss of ancestral lands on Native American communities
  • The connection between land and identity was a central theme in many 19th-century Native American texts
• Resistance and resilience - Native American authors often celebrated the resilience of their communities in the face of adversity and advocated for the rights of indigenous peoples
  • Works highlighted acts of resistance against colonial oppression and the preservation of cultural traditions
• Spirituality and connection to nature - Traditional Native American beliefs and the importance of the natural world were prominent themes in many works
  • Authors often incorporated elements of oral storytelling traditions, which emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things
• Assimilation and the impact of boarding schools - The forced assimilation of Native American children through the boarding school system was a significant topic in 19th-century Native American literature
  • Authors critiqued the trauma and cultural erosion caused by these institutions
• Stereotypes and misrepresentation - Native American writers sought to challenge stereotypes and misrepresentations of indigenous peoples perpetuated by Euro-American society
  • Works often provided more accurate and nuanced portrayals of Native American cultures and experiences

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Oral storytelling traditions - Many Native American authors drew upon the rich oral storytelling traditions of their communities, adapting these narratives into written form
  • Works often incorporated elements such as repetition, symbolism, and moral lessons
• Autobiography and memoir - The 19th century saw the emergence of Native American autobiographies and memoirs, which provided first-hand accounts of indigenous experiences and challenges
  • These works blended personal narratives with cultural and historical commentary
• Bilingualism and code-switching - Some Native American authors incorporated their indigenous languages into their writing, reflecting the bilingual realities of many Native American communities
  • Code-switching between English and Native American languages was used to assert cultural identity and resist linguistic assimilation
• Imagery and symbolism - Native American literature often employed vivid imagery and symbolism to convey cultural beliefs, values, and experiences
  • Natural elements, such as animals, plants, and landscapes, were imbued with symbolic significance
• Subversion of Euro-American literary forms - Some Native American authors subverted and adapted Euro-American literary forms, such as the novel and poetry, to express indigenous perspectives and experiences
  • This hybridization of literary forms challenged dominant cultural narratives and asserted the value of Native American storytelling traditions
• Intertextuality and allusion - Native American writers often engaged with and responded to the works of other indigenous authors, creating a rich intertextual dialogue within the literary tradition
  • Allusions to traditional stories, historical events, and cultural figures were used to situate works within a broader Native American cultural context

Cultural Significance

• Preservation of cultural heritage - Native American literature played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting indigenous cultures and traditions in the face of colonial oppression and assimilation efforts
  • Works documented important cultural practices, beliefs, and histories that might otherwise have been lost
• Assertion of Native American voices - The emergence of Native American literature in the 19th century marked a significant moment in the assertion of indigenous voices and perspectives within the dominant Euro-American cultural landscape
  • Authors challenged the silencing and marginalization of Native American experiences and advocated for the rights of their communities
• Resistance to cultural erasure - Native American writing served as a form of resistance against the cultural erasure and assimilation policies imposed by the U.S. government and Euro-American society
  • Works celebrated the resilience and survival of Native American cultures in the face of adversity
• Educating non-Native audiences - Many Native American authors sought to educate non-Native readers about the realities of indigenous life and the impact of colonialism on Native American communities
  • Literature provided a means of fostering understanding and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions
• Building a sense of pan-Indian identity - The shared experiences of colonialism and cultural oppression among diverse Native American communities contributed to the development of a sense of pan-Indian identity
  • Literature played a role in fostering solidarity and collective resistance among indigenous peoples
• Laying the foundation for future generations - The works of 19th-century Native American authors laid the foundation for the continued development of indigenous literature in the 20th and 21st centuries
  • These early writers paved the way for future generations to express their unique cultural identities and experiences through literary forms

Comparison with Non-Native Literature

• Themes of colonialism and cultural clash - While non-Native literature of the 19th century often portrayed westward expansion and the "taming" of the frontier in a positive light, Native American literature provided a counternarrative that highlighted the devastating impact of colonialism on indigenous communities
• Representation of Native American characters - Non-Native literature often depicted Native American characters through stereotypes and caricatures, such as the "noble savage" or the "bloodthirsty warrior"
  • Native American authors sought to provide more authentic and nuanced representations of indigenous peoples, challenging these harmful stereotypes
• Relationship to the land - Native American literature emphasized the deep spiritual and cultural connections between indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands, in contrast to the Euro-American view of land as a resource to be exploited and conquered
• Oral traditions and storytelling - While non-Native literature of the 19th century was primarily rooted in Western literary traditions, Native American literature drew upon the rich oral storytelling traditions of indigenous cultures
  • This difference in narrative structure and style reflected the distinct cultural values and worldviews of Native American communities
• Language and linguistic diversity - Native American literature often incorporated indigenous languages and reflected the linguistic diversity of Native American communities, in contrast to the monolingual English focus of most non-Native literature
• Marginalization and canon formation - Native American literature faced significant barriers to publication and recognition within the dominant Euro-American literary canon
  • The marginalization of indigenous voices within the literary landscape reflected the broader power imbalances and cultural hierarchies of 19th-century society

Legacy and Influence

• Inspiration for future generations of Native American writers - The works of 19th-century Native American authors served as a source of inspiration and guidance for subsequent generations of indigenous writers
  • These early authors demonstrated the power of literature to assert cultural identity, resist oppression, and preserve traditional knowledge
• Contributions to the development of ethnic American literature - Native American literature of the 19th century played a significant role in the broader development of ethnic American literature, paving the way for the emergence of other marginalized voices in the literary landscape
• Influence on social and political movements - The themes and ideas expressed in Native American literature contributed to the growth of indigenous rights movements and the fight for self-determination in the 20th and 21st centuries
  • Works that critiqued the treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. government and advocated for the preservation of indigenous cultures helped to raise awareness and mobilize support for these causes
• Expansion of the American literary canon - The inclusion of Native American literature in the American literary canon has helped to challenge traditional definitions of what constitutes "American" literature
  • The recognition of indigenous voices has contributed to a more diverse and inclusive understanding of the nation's literary heritage
• Influence on non-Native readers and scholars - Native American literature has had a profound impact on non-Native readers and scholars, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures and experiences
  • The works of 19th-century Native American authors have inspired non-Native allies to support indigenous rights and advocate for social justice
• Preservation of cultural memory - The legacy of 19th-century Native American literature lies in its role in preserving the cultural memory and traditions of indigenous communities
  • These works continue to serve as a vital resource for Native American communities seeking to maintain their cultural heritage and pass on traditional knowledge to future generations

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Postcolonial and decolonial perspectives - Contemporary scholars have applied postcolonial and decolonial theoretical frameworks to the analysis of 19th-century Native American literature
  • These approaches examine the ways in which indigenous authors resisted and subverted colonial power structures through their writing
• Intersectionality and multiple identities - Critical analysis has explored the intersectionality of identities in Native American literature, considering how factors such as gender, class, and tribal affiliation shape the experiences and perspectives of indigenous authors
• Trauma and resilience - Scholars have examined the representation of trauma and resilience in Native American literature, focusing on how authors grappled with the collective and individual traumas experienced by indigenous communities
  • This analysis highlights the psychological and emotional impact of colonialism and the strategies of resistance and healing employed by Native American writers
• Ecocriticism and environmental justice - Ecocritical approaches to Native American literature have explored the relationship between indigenous peoples and the natural world, emphasizing the environmental dimensions of colonial oppression and the role of literature in advocating for environmental justice
• Reclaiming agency and voice - Critical interpretations of Native American literature have emphasized the ways in which indigenous authors reclaimed agency and voice in the face of cultural erasure and marginalization
  • Scholars have examined how Native American writers asserted their cultural identities, challenged dominant narratives, and resisted assimilation through their works
• Comparative and transnational approaches - Recent scholarship has situated Native American literature within a broader comparative and transnational context, exploring the connections and parallels between indigenous experiences across the Americas and beyond
  • This approach highlights the shared struggles and solidarity among indigenous peoples worldwide and the role of literature in fostering global resistance to colonialism
• Pedagogical and ethical considerations - The teaching and study of Native American literature raise important pedagogical and ethical considerations, particularly for non-Native scholars and students
  • Critical analysis has emphasized the need for respectful engagement with indigenous texts, the centering of Native American voices and perspectives, and the acknowledgment of the ongoing impact of colonialism on indigenous communities