Crazy Brave
Crazy Brave Paper
REL 306
Throughout the autobiography of Joy Harjo, Crazy Brave, we are able to see many things and people that have deeply impacted her life. From the relationship with her family to her interaction with other Native American artists to spiritual beings, Harjo is often impacted and often makes decisions based on the interactions with those around her. One of the most impactful interactions that I witnessed while scanning the novel was with that of “The Knowing”. Harjo describes the “Knowing” as, “a vast field of intelligence beyond mental clatter and any kind of dividing line. It can be seen as a being, and it is, many beings, and it is, a geometric flow, and it is—it is part of all of us, or, we are part of it.” This “knowing” seems to be a force from outside of Harjo that has entered into her soul and spirit. Often times it is shown throughout her artwork as a sign of how life is impacting her. She speaks about the fact that there is no ignoring this “knowing” for an artist. You cannot ignore the power of it, but rather, “…creative artists immerse themselves in this flow. You cannot force it. I believe you can feed it or turn your back on it; no matter—it is still dynamically at work.” The knowing seems to take hold of an artist, and works its way through the soul and spirit and eventually out into the artwork. As an artist, Harjo is more aware of the knowing in her life now rather than when she was a child. She is able to feel this spirit enter into her and understands that it is the “knowing”. In her adult life, she most feels this spirit while working on her art. Whether it is through painting or through music, we see that Harjo truly feels a deep connection to this spirit while she is working with her creativity.
What or who does Joy refer to as "the knowing"? When is she most aware of the knowings advice? Give some examples. What other Native Americans beliefs does this remind you of?
REL 306
Throughout the autobiography of Joy Harjo, Crazy Brave, we are able to see many things and people that have deeply impacted her life. From the relationship with her family to her interaction with other Native American artists to spiritual beings, Harjo is often impacted and often makes decisions based on the interactions with those around her. One of the most impactful interactions that I witnessed while scanning the novel was with that of “The Knowing”. Harjo describes the “Knowing” as, “a vast field of intelligence beyond mental clatter and any kind of dividing line. It can be seen as a being, and it is, many beings, and it is, a geometric flow, and it is—it is part of all of us, or, we are part of it.” This “knowing” seems to be a force from outside of Harjo that has entered into her soul and spirit. Often times it is shown throughout her artwork as a sign of how life is impacting her. She speaks about the fact that there is no ignoring this “knowing” for an artist. You cannot ignore the power of it, but rather, “…creative artists immerse themselves in this flow. You cannot force it. I believe you can feed it or turn your back on it; no matter—it is still dynamically at work.” The knowing seems to take hold of an artist, and works its way through the soul and spirit and eventually out into the artwork. As an artist, Harjo is more aware of the knowing in her life now rather than when she was a child. She is able to feel this spirit enter into her and understands that it is the “knowing”. In her adult life, she most feels this spirit while working on her art. Whether it is through painting or through music, we see that Harjo truly feels a deep connection to this spirit while she is working with her creativity.
What or who does Joy refer to as "the knowing"? When is she most aware of the knowings advice? Give some examples. What other Native Americans beliefs does this remind you of?