Native American Literature

What is the earliest form of American writing?

• Petroglyphs

• Newspapers

• Novels

• Poetry

What was the primary mode of communication for Native Americans?

• Written language

• Sign language

• Oral tradition

• Telepathy

What is the purpose of myths in Native American culture?

• To entertain the audience

• To confuse the audience

• To inform, instruct, or warn the audience

• To promote a specific religious belief

What is a common characteristic of Native American myths?

• They often involve supernatural events

• They focus on historical events

• They disregard the laws of nature

• They exclude women from the narratives

What is the purpose of modern Native American literature?

• To erase their history

• To preserve the future

• To promote assimilation

• To celebrate native values

What is one of the earliest examples of Native American writing in the United States?

• Newspaper Rock

• Iroquois Constitution

• Article of the Tribe

• Sequoyah's Treaty

What was the importance of the Native American oral tradition?

• Their oral tradition allowed them to pass down their culture, spirituality, and way of life.

• It kept them entertained before the times of television.

• It was a way for the men to practice speaking in front of their tribe.

• It is how they performed their ceremonies.

All of the following are beliefs Native Americans had about words, EXCEPT

• Words were only spoken in their tribal tongue.

• Words were powerful.

• Words were magical.

• Words could bring about physical change.

True or False. The term myth implies disbelief in the story it conveys.

• False

• True

Which of the following is not a characteristic of Native American myths?

• Worship of nature

• Reverence for nature

• Importance of women

• Interaction of the physical and spiritual world