Week 10: Native American Marriage Tales, Reading Notes A

1. Okay, so first off, the first story starts off with rape – it doesn’t say it in so many words, but it’s eluded to the fact most certainly – which is horrible and I would definitely take that part of the story out quickly. I know that this was a different time period but it would still make me uncomfortable to write something into a story that ends “happily.” The other weird part of this story is the fact that the boy’s mother is a cow part of the time – and also that she FORGAVE THE MAN THAT RAPED HER. Basically, the thing I would change about this story is ALL OF IT.

2. The Splinter-Footed Girl reminded me some of the story of the birth of Athena, because Athena was born from Zeus’ head, much like the child was born from the man’s leg. One of the best aspects about this story is the relationship between the men and the daughter; if I were to rewrite this story, I would use that connection and make it stronger. Maybe I would have each of the fathers help her, instead of the different animals. Using another character seems to diminish the connection between the girl and her parents.

3. At least in the story about the Whale and the Eagle, the little girls get to choose their husbands for themselves, even if it didn’t end all that well. Still kind of freaked out by the bestiality. The language in this story is a little different than the others, making it harder to get into. Making the dialogue more modern would connect the reader to the story, and it would be easier to read.

4. The Fox-Woman starts off with the phrase “dutiful wife” In the first sentence. Gross. BUT this was my favorite story. I wanted it to be longer. In the end, I might put a twist. Does the woman end up alone for the rest of her life? Maybe. Or MAYBE she ends up with another woman. WHOA! PLOT TWIST!

5. A lot of these stories have nasty endings. Not that I’m not a fan, usually, but dang. Where is the happiness?

6. The Bear-Woman is definitely my second favorite story. I think that I would change the POV to the eldest sisters, and make her attack on the village something like revenge for the murder of his husband. But also, CONSTELLATIOINS!!!!!!!!!

Futrama Constellation Meme. Found on quickmeme.

 Bibliography: Tales of the North American Indians by Stith Thompson (1929). Link to online reading.