Question

a) What values are reflected in Native American oral literature? b) How might these cultural beliefs help or hinder relations with the first European settlers?

Answer 1

In Native American literature, the following characteristics are valued;
I. Hero Initiation
II. Trickster; to reinforce the fact that we have human flaws
III. Symbolic Landmarks; relates human characteristics and emotions to geography and topography
IV. Mythology
V. Oral Tradition

These cultural beliefs held by the native Americans will inevitably hinder their relations with the European settlers as the Europeans might view their traditons as a culture shock; they have never seen such a group with ostracised beliefs.