| Papers [1-14] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 8] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 —> | Search results on "NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRIT WORLD": |
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The Native American Spirit World, 2005.
A study of the mythology of the Native American people, originating in North America.
2,250 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 5 sources, £ 61.95
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Abstract
This study is restricted to consider only those Native American cultures in North America, that are well-known and which provide certain insights into the construction of the spirit world for these particular people. This is still a relatively broad group of people. Nevertheless, there are common themes that run throughout Native American mythology in North America with regard to the spirit world.
From the Paper
"It would be ridiculous to suggest that Native American mythology, specifically regarding the belief in a spirit world, is monolithic. After all, when we are speaking of Native Americans, of whom are we speaking? Should we broaden our discussion to include all the various tribes and cultural groups throughout North and South America? Can we actually expect that beliefs in the Spirit World would remain consistent across such great geographical, climatic, and cultural divides? Of course, such an argument would be reductive and would provide very little useful information regarding the spiritual beliefs of any Native Americans. For the purpose of this study, I will restrict myself to consider only those Native American cultures in North America, and even then I will restrict myself further to those cultures that are well-known and which provide certain insights into the construction of the spirit world for these particular people."
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The Cherokee and the Native American Gender Spectrum, 2005.
An overview of the concept of two-spirited individuals in Native American culture.
2,579 words (approx. 10.3 pages), 10 sources, MLA, £ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the concept and historical social role of two-spirited individuals in Native American cultures and explores the relationship of the Cherokee social structure and gender roles with respect to the various dimensions of the two-spirit concept.
From the Paper
"Perhaps the most important practical aspect of traditional Cherokee gender roles is the division of labor, while the most important social aspect is that of matrilineage. Women produced all the major household necessities, such as pottery, baskets, and many other crafts, and supplied their household with firewood and water. They were generally responsible for planting, tending and harvesting crops as well as gathering wild edible plants, and of course, the bearing and nurturing of children. Men, on the other hand, produced hunting and fishing tools as well as weapons and canoes, all of which they used to perform their traditional gender-designated labor activities including the hunting game and warfare."
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The Native American Religious System, 2002.
An insight into the Native American religious system. The paper discusses six bases of religion and shows how religion has influenced the people and societies who support it.
1,220 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 8 sources, MLA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
Since the beginning of time religion has played an important part in people?s lives. How people worship can be as varied as the lands they live in. The Native American Indians are a group that have many beliefs and rituals. This paper discusses how their religion is based on spirits and the belief of a higher power and that the ceremonies they perform can range from ones concerning harvest and giving thanks to Ghost Dances and Death rituals.
From the Paper
"The Indians believe in Spirits and the supernatural. The Hopi Indians describe Spirits as a being that ?may have greater than human powers (Geertz).? They feel these powers can be evil or be able to accomplished great things. They believe kachinas are powerful because they can make it rain. A kachina is a powerful supernatural being, or one who possesses the being during a religious ceremony. The Hopi also believe that there are those who are invisible and help them with knowledge. They consider these spirits to have superhuman strength. Some such spirits which perform many feats in their tales are the Old Spider Woman and her grandsons, and the Sun god. The Hopi ask each being to help them in their lives using their own special gifts (Geertz)."
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Racism in Native-American Literature, 2007.
This paper offers a comparison and contrast of racism and inter-racial marriage as seen in "Grass Dancer" by Susan Power and "Mean Spirit" by Linda Hogan.
983 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, £ 23.95
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Abstract
The paper analyzes the racism inherent within the institution of marriage within the two novels "Grass Dancer" by Susan Power and "Mean Spirit" by Linda Hogan. The paper discusses Hogan's use of racism against Native-Americans through the marginalization of Indian culture by whites who discourage inter-racial marriages. The paper also demonstrates how Power reveals a similar aspect of the broken and racist institution of marriage through the experiences of Jeanette McVay's marriage to a Sioux man. The paper concludes that both authors provide similar, yet differing perspectives of racism within the inter-racial marriages that arise within these two Native-American fiction novels.
From the Paper
"The novel Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan reveals the intensive racism that the whites impose on the Osage people. The plot of the novel revolves around the Osage people, and their struggles against the white oil barons that are trying to remove them from their oil-rich lands. This plot premise invokes the motive for the white oilmen to find ways to discourage compassion or empathy for the native Americans within their own culture, so that they can take the oil from the Indians. One way that Hogan imposes a white hegemonic racist construct is through the institution of marriage. For instance, when a white man and Indian woman are married, Hogan reveals the symbolic and legal marginalization of interracial relationships within white culture."
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Assessing the American Spirit through Fiction and Non- Fiction, 2002.
Reviews both American non-fiction and American fiction works of art to support the notion that the American spirit is reflected in both types of literature.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, £ 30.95
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Abstract
One of the most poignant quotes in American literature comes from Donald Briscoe, who stated that "To understand American Literature, it is necessary to examine both its fiction and its non- fiction because the key to the American Spirit can be found in both." This paper assesses Briscoe's quote through addressing two works of American fiction and two works of American non- fiction with the intent of proving how the spirit of the American people is reflected in both types of literature.
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Emerson's Self Reliance and the American Spirit, 2002.
Discussion of Ralph Waldo Emerson's perspective and positive assesment of the American spirit.
650 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 3 sources, £ 18.95
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Abstract
The American Renaissance, and thus the American character, was shaped in great part by the transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson, which was expressed in his essay, "Self-Reliance". His essay begins with the recognition of the inherent individuality in man. It is, of course, non-conformity which is the result of this realization. The issue of conformity is an ironic one within the American culture - but the spirit of what Emerson wrote indeed is the embodiment of what is quintessentially American. The concept of self-determination and of total self-reliance is what filled the Pioneers in their Westward movement, it is what drove the creation of free capitalism, and is what has allowed our democracy to remain intact for more than two centuries. While Emerson did not create the non-conformity of the American spirit, he did capture it and glorify it.
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Native and Non-native Tensions in Canada, 2005.
An analysis of the argument between native and non-native Canadians over claims of land.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, £ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the land claims of the aboriginal people of Canada. The paper discusses the history over the struggle between native and non-native Canadians, in regards to their struggle over land, fishing and hunting rights upon property in the country for many years. The paper presents the argument of the aboriginal people and the counter-claim of those non-native Canadians who are opposed to the claim, as well as their solution to the problem.
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"Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems", 2007.
A review of Robin Wall Kimmerer's article, "Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems".
1,070 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 3 sources, APA, £ 25.95
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Abstract
This paper briefly reviews Robin Wall Kimmerer's 2000 article, "Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems" and highlights the article's main points as well as how it approaches the broad concept of ethno-ecology. More importantly, the paper also touches upon how the article approaches the linkage of local and/or traditional knowledge of ecological systems with academic and/or scientific knowledge of those same systems. Finally, the paper discusses the significance of the aforementioned linkage as it pertains to the future of human beings in the global ecosystem.
From the Paper
"Simply put, Kimmerer's argument is that Native Americans intensively cultivated the land so that it would provide them with sufficient foodstuffs to brave the grueling winter months. While modern-day efforts to restore the ancient biological vitality and bio-diversity of the American woods and ecosystems is a laudable goal, it is not possible without also considering how the natives were able to so successfully manage the world around them. In effect, Kimmerer argues that modern-day conservationists must "heal" their relationship to the land and understand the land spiritually and emotionally as well as intellectually. Less abstractly, Kimmerer states that twenty-first century man must adopt the "site-specific" or "diachronic" knowledge which well-served Native Americans in the past and which lends itself to successful local site restoration. "
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Native vs. Non-native Anthropology, 2005.
This paper contends that distinctions between native and non-native anthropology are insignificant.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 4 sources, £ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that a native anthropologist is one who conducts research in their own society whereas a regular anthropologist conducts research in any society. The paper considers how some would argue that there should be a distinction. This paper presents the hypothesis that the distinctions between native and regular anthropology do not matter. To support this argument, the work of the following two anthropologists is considered; Vincent Crapanzano, who is considered a Native anthropologist because he is doing research in his own society and Anne Allison, an American doing research in Japan.
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Spirits Who Remain, 2003.
Examines the Native American spiritual world and how the "white" suburban culture views Native Americans.
616 words (approx. 2.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 15.95
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Abstract
This paper deals with Native American customs and their whole spiritual realm. It illustrates this by using three, short Native American stories, which show how different and complex Native American belief systems are.
From the Paper
"People make minor mistakes all the time. Most of these mistakes can be easily corrected; however, when people make major mistakes in judgment that can be life- changing and do nothing to correct them, the spirit world will sometimes help one along towards the right path. Sometimes people might not realize that they are even making mistakes and hurting those whom they love. Joseph Bruchac, a Native American and the author of ?Bone Girl,? writes a very moving story about a Native American man who is taking a writing course and is writing a story for his class. His teacher wants him to write from the beginning in a straight line towards the end; however, he chooses to writes in a circular fashion because that is how a lot of native Americans write and tell stories."
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Worlds Within Worlds, 2002.
Examines the hidden lives of women in works by feminist writers de Beauvoir, Wollstonecraft and Woolf.
2,150 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 3 sources, £ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper will compare and contrast the one theme that binds all these three authors which is the dual role of women in society. The first role being that of the public woman (performing the duties that societies expect them to play) and the second is the private woman (the woman who realizes that what they desire does not always blend well with what society expects from them).
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From Old World China to the New World America, 2004.
This paper reviews three novels, based on the generational transition from China to America: Amy Tan?s ?Joy Luck Club? and ?The Bonesetter?s Daughter? and Maxine Kingston?s ?The Woman Warrior".
835 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 7 sources, MLA, £ 20.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Amy Tan and Maxine Kingston?s central themes reflect the inherent difficulties faced by the foreigners in a different land. The author points out that, in ?Joy Luck Club?, Amy Tan employs the stories of four Chinese women and their highly Americanized daughters, bred and born in America. The paper states that Maxine Kingston reveals a great deal about the Chinese convictions pertaining to their culture and traditions, which have many superstitious beliefs in her book, ?The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood among Ghosts?.
From the Paper
"However, the basic problem that thoroughly reflects the uneven, unbalanced and highly disturbing transformation from the old world to the new world is that of the lack of comprehension and interest of the young girls that belonged to these four Chinese women. Born and brought up in America, Jing-Mei, Lena, Rose, and Waverly all exhibited little emotional attachment to the culture they never experienced living in a foreign land and consequently showed clandestine aversion towards their own native cultural values. The four Chinese women who were also good friends, wanted comforts, luxuries and all the positive American values for their Chinese American daughters but also desperately wanted to inculcate a strong sense of discipline arising out of the Chinese traditions and cultural values into their daughters."
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The Native Americans and Ritual, 2002.
Shows how ceremony helped preserve the natural world of the Native Americans.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 5 sources, £ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the role of spirituality in the traditions of Native American peoples. There is a focus on the rituals involved in hunting and fishing, as well as the significance of the natural world for Native Americans.
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Canadians and Native Stories, 2003.
A look at answer to Lenore Keeshig-Tobias question of why Canadians are so obsessed with native stories from her essay ?Stop Stealing Native Stories?.
2,043 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 12 sources, MLA, £ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes how in her in her essay ?Stop Stealing Native Stories? , Lenore Keeshig-Tobias refers to non-native authors? interest in telling native stories as ?cultural theft? and the ?theft of voice?. In order to comprehensively understand Lenore Keeshig-Tobias' argument, it explores Canadian society and defines and contrasts opinions on what it is to be ?indigenous? to a land. It also looks at the importance of Canada?s well-known native poets ? in particular, Marilyn Dumont and E. Pauline Johnson.
From the Paper
"Another of E. Pauline Johnson?s interests was the depiction of Natives in white literature. The decision to include Natives and the way in which they were portrayed was a topic she explored as a part of her essay, ?A Strong Race Opinion: On the Indian Girl in Modern Fiction?. Marilyn Dumont shows similar interests in her involvement in representing ?part of a new literary trend that encourages indigenous writers to create more realistic images of Native women and ultimately break down the established misrepresentations portrayed in non-Native literature.? (Kobayas) In exploring Natives in non-Native literature in such a way, both Johnson and Dumont are acknowledging that white Canadians do, indeed, write Native stories or perhaps stories with Native characters in them."
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