Earth On Turtle's Back Analysis
Samantha Delgado
Mrs. Shreiner
English III: American Literature
9/27/13
When Turtles Walked Upright!? The Earth on Grizzly’s Back!? In the Native American origin myths “Earth on Turtle’s Back” by the Onondaga and “When Grizzlies Walked Upright” by the Modoc many cultural values are revealed. In both stories the indigenous people are able to give insight as to how they feel life begins and their religious beliefs. By doing so they reveal details about their tribes that otherwise would have remained a secret. In addition the myth structure is able to detail the cultural and natural phenomena that occurred during the time of the tribe’s existence. In the end Native American origin myths have been able to provide future generations with an insightful …show more content…
Notably the Onondaga value animals when they state, “So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried” (Onondaga 17). On the other hand the Modoc do not revere animals as much as their myth explains “’Get down on your hands and knees. You have wronged me, and from this moment all of you will walk on four feet and never talk again’” (Modoc 21). This is significant because these details allow the reader to determine a major difference between these tribes as the Onondaga appreciate animals while the Modoc consider them inferior. This distinction allows for future generations to understand each of tribes more deeply and appreciate the legacy they leave behind. Additionally these myths help others understand how the tribes explained natural phenomena; in particular when the Onondaga explain how turtles received their markings, “They brought the Muskrat over to the Great Turtle and placed her paw against his back. To this day there are marks at the back of the Turtle’s shell” (Onondaga 18). Similarly, the Modoc explain why volcanoes erupt when they state, “He made a big fire in the center of the mountain and a hole on the top so that the smoke and sparks could fly out” (Modoc 19). This is relevant since these details reveal how each tribe found creative ways to explain the remarkable world around them. This is also vital because through these details it further reinforces how their lives were surrounded by events they could not readily explain and in explaining these natural phenomena the tribes are able to reveal details about their lives. Altogether myths help to reveal the untold of mysteries of cultures long
Mrs. Shreiner
English III: American Literature
9/27/13
When Turtles Walked Upright!? The Earth on Grizzly’s Back!? In the Native American origin myths “Earth on Turtle’s Back” by the Onondaga and “When Grizzlies Walked Upright” by the Modoc many cultural values are revealed. In both stories the indigenous people are able to give insight as to how they feel life begins and their religious beliefs. By doing so they reveal details about their tribes that otherwise would have remained a secret. In addition the myth structure is able to detail the cultural and natural phenomena that occurred during the time of the tribe’s existence. In the end Native American origin myths have been able to provide future generations with an insightful …show more content…
Notably the Onondaga value animals when they state, “So the birds and animals decided that someone would have to bring up Earth. One by one they tried” (Onondaga 17). On the other hand the Modoc do not revere animals as much as their myth explains “’Get down on your hands and knees. You have wronged me, and from this moment all of you will walk on four feet and never talk again’” (Modoc 21). This is significant because these details allow the reader to determine a major difference between these tribes as the Onondaga appreciate animals while the Modoc consider them inferior. This distinction allows for future generations to understand each of tribes more deeply and appreciate the legacy they leave behind. Additionally these myths help others understand how the tribes explained natural phenomena; in particular when the Onondaga explain how turtles received their markings, “They brought the Muskrat over to the Great Turtle and placed her paw against his back. To this day there are marks at the back of the Turtle’s shell” (Onondaga 18). Similarly, the Modoc explain why volcanoes erupt when they state, “He made a big fire in the center of the mountain and a hole on the top so that the smoke and sparks could fly out” (Modoc 19). This is relevant since these details reveal how each tribe found creative ways to explain the remarkable world around them. This is also vital because through these details it further reinforces how their lives were surrounded by events they could not readily explain and in explaining these natural phenomena the tribes are able to reveal details about their lives. Altogether myths help to reveal the untold of mysteries of cultures long