How Silver-Fox Created the World:
This story is rather interesting. I have heard many theories on the creation of the world or how the world came into being, but this is the first one I have heard like this. I wonder if the tribes of the Pacific Northwest honored coyotes and/or silver-foxes or why those were the animals chosen to be a part of this story. It is certainly a unique tale and I haven't heard one like this before. I'm not really sure what to think, but I'm not sure I particularly care for this tale in all honesty.
Three Coyote Stories:
The first story is interesting. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be any sort of moral or take-away from the story, or if the story is more important in context of the others to show that the coyote doesn't have as much power. Either way, I wonder why the coyote went after the people he had created and the silver-fox didn't. The second story I feel like had more of a definitive purpose - to show why the coyote is the most cunning. I was a bit confused though because the first story of the unit and the first sub-story of this story was about the coyote and silver-fox creating the world and now an old man is attributed to having done it? The third story is strange as well. I wonder why the coyote is getting so much heat and now dying? What about silver-fox? Maybe the tribe hates coyotes although the first story didn't seem so bad.
How Old Man Above Created the World:
This story is interesting as well. One of the first things I noticed was that this story contradicts the others so it leads me to believe that these stories weren't told to children as truth since there was more than one version within one culture alone. Some differences I saw was the old man creating the world and the fact that the grizzly bear was feared (rather than the coyote). I like the idea that this story connects to the present and explains why smoke never rises from that location anymore. I think stories like that are more fun and add something extra to things we could see present day.
How Beaver Stole Fire:
I like this story for the same reason I like the previous story - it provides a fun explanation for why things are the way they are (today). I wonder why the beaver was chosen or why the beaver was the animal to have stolen the fire. I would have expected it to be a coyote because they are supposed to be cunning. I'm glad some more animals got to steal the show, though :)
Chinook Wind:
Same idea as some of the previous stories - it explains why things are the way they are. I didn't like this story quite as much because it involved deceit, revenge, and death. However, it was well-written, and I respect that.
The First Totem Pole:
This story was slightly confusing for me. Maybe it's moreso that I'm having trouble focusing. Either way, I found it hard to be engaged and would not say that this was my favorite story although like I said, I still respect the stories even though perhaps this unit is just not the unit of my interest.
Ketchican Totem Pole
Source: Wikipedia
No comments:
Post a Comment