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.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The oral and written form of story telling expressed in the dialogs with the trickster figure
- 3. The role of the trickster figure
- 4. The intertextuality in the scenes with Coyote
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the significance of the trickster figure, Coyote, in Thomas King's novel Green Grass, Running Water. It examines how King blends oral and written storytelling traditions within the novel's narrative structure, focusing on the interplay between these forms in dialogues featuring Coyote. The analysis explores the intertextuality present in these scenes and the novel's broader engagement with Native American mythology and colonialism.
- The blending of oral and written storytelling traditions in Green Grass, Running Water.
- The role and significance of the trickster figure, Coyote, in Native American mythology and the novel.
- The intertextuality within the dialogues involving Coyote, and its implications.
- The novel's portrayal of the relationship between Native American culture and colonialism.
- The impact of the novel's narrative structure on its thematic exploration.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the unique nature of Thomas King's Green Grass, Running Water, highlighting its blend of oral and written storytelling, and its exploration of Native American mythology. The chapter introduces Coyote as a central mythological figure and points to existing scholarship on Coyote's significance in both Native American traditions and King's novel. It frames the paper's focus on analyzing Coyote's role and the intertwined intertextuality within the novel's dialogues, referencing Herb Wyile's work on the synthesis of Western and Native literary forms in King's writing, which emphasizes the inherent complexity and interwoven nature of cultural influences rather than a simple blending of distinct elements.
2. The oral and written form of story telling expressed in the dialogs with the trickster figure: This chapter delves into the distinctive narrative structure of Green Grass, Running Water, emphasizing the novel's unique interweaving of oral and written storytelling styles. The oral tradition's prevalence in dialogues featuring Coyote and the retelling of the Judeo-Christian creation myth from a Native American perspective are highlighted. The chapter contrasts the fluidity and cyclical nature of oral storytelling with the fixed nature of written text, exploring the collision and complementarity of these forms. It cites examples from the novel to illustrate how oral storytelling uses repetitions, pauses, and a direct language to create imagery and connection between narrator and listener, contrasting this with the written form's consistent and unchanging structure. The chapter references Brian Johnson's analysis of the "clash between voice and letter," further elaborating on the implications of this interplay in the context of colonialism and cultural resistance.
Keywords
Native American literature, Thomas King, Green Grass, Running Water, Coyote, trickster figure, oral storytelling, written storytelling, intertextuality, colonialism, cultural blending, Native American mythology, Judeo-Christian mythology.
Green Grass, Running Water: A Comprehensive Language Preview - FAQ
What is the purpose of this language preview?
This preview provides a structured overview of Thomas King's novel, Green Grass, Running Water, focusing on its narrative techniques and thematic concerns. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, designed for academic analysis.
What are the key themes explored in the novel?
The preview highlights several key themes, including the blending of oral and written storytelling traditions, the significance of the trickster figure Coyote in Native American mythology and the novel's narrative, intertextuality within the dialogues featuring Coyote, the relationship between Native American culture and colonialism, and the impact of the novel's narrative structure on its thematic exploration.
How does the novel blend oral and written storytelling?
The novel uniquely interweaves oral and written storytelling styles. The oral tradition is prominent in dialogues featuring Coyote, often retelling the Judeo-Christian creation myth from a Native American perspective. The preview contrasts the fluidity of oral storytelling with the fixed nature of written text, analyzing how these forms collide and complement each other within the narrative.
What is the role of Coyote in the novel?
Coyote serves as a central mythological figure, embodying the trickster archetype. The preview examines his significance within Native American mythology and how his role contributes to the novel's exploration of cultural blending, colonialism, and the interplay between oral and written storytelling traditions.
What is the significance of intertextuality in the novel?
The preview emphasizes the intertextuality present in the dialogues featuring Coyote, exploring its implications for understanding the novel's thematic concerns. It suggests that this intertextuality reflects the complex and interwoven nature of cultural influences, rather than a simple blending of distinct elements.
What is the relationship between Native American culture and colonialism in the novel?
The novel explores the complex relationship between Native American culture and colonialism. The preview suggests this is addressed through the contrasting storytelling styles, the role of Coyote, and the retelling of creation myths from a Native American perspective.
What is covered in each chapter of the preview?
The preview summarizes each chapter. Chapter 1 introduces the novel and its unique features. Chapter 2 delves into the blending of oral and written storytelling, focusing on dialogues with Coyote. The remaining chapters likely continue to build on these themes within the context of the complete novel.
What are the keywords associated with the novel and this preview?
Keywords include Native American literature, Thomas King, Green Grass, Running Water, Coyote, trickster figure, oral storytelling, written storytelling, intertextuality, colonialism, cultural blending, Native American mythology, and Judeo-Christian mythology.
Who is the intended audience for this preview?
This preview is intended for academic use, providing a structured overview for researchers analyzing the themes and narrative techniques of Thomas King's Green Grass, Running Water.
Where can I find more information about the novel?
Further information about Thomas King's Green Grass, Running Water can be found through academic databases, literary journals, and other scholarly resources related to Native American literature and postcolonial studies.
- Citar trabajo
- Aleksandra Pendarovska (Autor), 2004, Forms and Functions of the Trickster Figure in Thomas King's Green Grass, Running Water, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/27937
