Extra Reading Diary: Native American Hero Tales

Native American Hero Tales:

The Jealous Uncle:
I haven't gotten too far in this story and already have a few things I want to say.  One, why in the world does the wife and families continue let this man get away with murder?  He's not un-touchable or elusive.  Simply put, no one stands up to him (or at least it seems to be that way).  Two, it will mess up the child if they make him pretend to be a girl for so long - that would be confusing and then he will switch genders like a flick of the light switch?  Three - why do they let the boy go see the uncle when they already think they know the fate? The boy is clever to escape the wood - but seriously, what are his parents thinking to let him go in the first place?  It's neat that the boy was rescued and that he even found a wife out of this experience, but it's so sad that he didn't mention going back to visit his parents for so long.  I would have thought that would have been one of his first things he mentioned/asked for.  It's nice, in a way, that he lets his uncle have a chance at his life - somewhat merciful while also not entirely merciful.  I didn't completely understand the whole eagle thing - was he disguised as an eagle and used large eagle wings to fly and he was concealed under the feathers or was it believed that these people could transform into eagles?  I think it was the first thing I mentioned, but I wasn't completely clear on that.  I also was wondering if the tribe chose eagles because they are majestic or if because practically speaking, they were really good at killing them.  I don't know very much about Native American culture but it certainly is interesting and it'd be neat to learn more about it.  I'm surprised this is one of the hero tales - the boy doesn't really save anyone except for himself.  It's a cool story, but I wouldn't have necessarily categorized it this way.

Dug-From-Ground:
I wonder if the grandmother knew from personal experience not to dig double-stalked roots or if she was just cautioned not to do so and followed the instruction given to her.  I understand that it's sort of crazy that this young woman found this baby but especially after she went through the trouble of running after it as if it was hers, she then decides to not even look at what she's been looking for?  Anyways, it's pretty crazy that she avoids looking at him for so long and only is home when it's dark.  I would have thought that maybe she has some past story about losing a son but the story already said she was a virgin so it's not possible for her to already have had a son.  At the end, I don't understand who he marries.  Is it not mentioned (perhaps he marries someone he meets on the other side of the world) or does he marry one of the women (grandmother or mother)?

Native American Chiefs in 1865

Source:  Wikipedia