Forms and Functions of the Trickster Figure in Thomas King's Green Grass, Running Water

Table of contents:

1.  Introduction  1

2.  The oral and written form of story telling expressed  

  in the dialogs with the trickster figure  2

3.  The role of the trickster figure  4

4.  The intertextuality in the scenes with Coyote  6

5.  Conclusion  9

6.  Bibliography  11

1. Introduction

Thomas King´s novel Green Grass, Running Water distinguishes itself from most of the modern novels, above all, from the novels written by Native American authors, in its genuine form and content. Not only the synthesis of oral and written form of narrating stories makes it a valuable literary work that reveals evidence for the existence of a relatively, if not utterly unknown culture, but also the author´s effort to depict characters and stories from the mythology of the Native Americans contribute to it. The central figure among the mythological figures from the Native American culture in the novel Green Grass, Running Water is, by all means, the figure of Coyote.

A lot of research has been conducted on the importance of this figure in the Native American mythology, on its meaning in Thomas King´s novel and on the combination of these two aspects. It could be regarded that Thomas King attempts through his characters to illustrate on a larger scale the relationship between two diverse entities and their unequal position in it. This argument has been considered to a large extent by many authors and academics, among which Herb Wyile presents the following point in his article “ 'Trust Tonto' Thomas King´s subversive fictions and the politics of cultural literacy.

“Given these various elements, it might be tempting initially to describe his work as blending Western literary forms with forms from Native cultures. A more appropriate characterization, however, can be found in Kimberley Blaeser’s description of the trickster figure in Native writing as ‘[n]ot a composite, which is made up of distinct and recognizable parts, but a complex, which is one unit whose makeup is intricate and interwoven’ (“Trickster” 51). Her description applies nicely to King’s writing, since in those Native cultures (and King’s writing as an extension of them), that blending or syncretism is already there, because of the cross-fertilization historically and currently between different tribal traditions and because of the legacy of the history of colonialism, during which cultural interaction was imposed.” 1

In the light of the opinion presented in the above written quotation this paper will concentrate on the analysis of the meaning and form of the pivotal figure in Thomas King’s novel Green Grass, Running Water - the trickster figure of Coyote and attempt to discover the intertwined intertextuality in the dialogs, in which Coyote takes part.

¹ Herb Wyile. “ “Trust Tonto” Thomas King’s subversive fictions and the politics of cultural literacy”. Canadian Literature 161/162 (1999): p.111

1

2. The oral and written form of story telling expressed in the dialogs with the trickster figure

The most distinctive feature of the composition of the novel Green Grass, Running Water is the unusual and quite unique manner of narrating a story. The form of the Native American oral narration is intertwined with the literary form of expression; nevertheless, not throughout the entire book, but only in the dialogs, in which Coyote plays a role and in which the story about the Judeo-Christian postulation of the creation of the world is recounted through the angle of Native American mythology.

The oral form of narrating stories is more abundant than the written one with respect to conveying nuances in the feelings and interpretations of the story. It also resorts to repetitions and pauses that help the listener to understand and follow the narration. The structure of the narration is cyclic and does not draw a clear line between the realm of reality and mythology. The use of a compact and direct language is very important in creating this imagery and establishing a bond between the narrator and the listener. The role of a narrator is played only by the persons who have a specific knowledge about story telling conventions. If it is done by unskilled narrators, it can be dangerous and because of this fact, the four old Indians do not allow Coyote to tell a story in the novel. 2

“Okay,” said the Lone Ranger. “Whose turn is it now?”

“Well, who went last?” said Ishmael. “You did.” “Then it´s Robinson Crusoe´s turn”. “What about me?” says Coyote. “ I´d like a turn.” “That doesn´t sound like a good idea,” said Hawkeye. “No,” said Robinson Crusoe.” That sounds like a Coyote idea.” 3

Whereas the oral form transforms a story by inserting or removing elements in the plot and the story differs as a consequence of this process from generation to generation and even from narrator to narrator, the written form has a solid form that remains consistent throughout time. When these two forms of expression are drawn together, they complement each other, but also collide.

² Lecture notes. 16.06.2004

³ Thomas King. Green Grass, Running Waster. 1993 Bantam Books: New York.1994. p.253

2