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Reflections
on Mary TallMountain's Work
Themes of Native American Literature
Separation
& Loss, Renewal & Rebirth
1. Overall, how do the three texts read together deepen your understanding of the issues and themes the author attempts to convey?
2. In the poem, what is the significance of the title? What is the tone or mood of the poem? How are the symbols or natural images used?
3. In the essay:
a) what is the relationship between the author and the land she returns to?
b) Why does she relate some of the history of the Athabaskans and the newcomers, Russians and Jesuits?
c) Discuss the significance of names: Nulato, "the place where we are tied together," and "strangers of the north," the Anglos' name for the Koyukon Band (p. 4).
d) How was the author devastated by the many calamities ofher early life? (see esp. p. 7-8).
e) How did she begin to recover them?
f) What was the role of writing throughout her life? What do you think she means when she says she has "an obligation to [herself] and her peers to use [her writing ability] constructively to rebuild, perhaps, some part of the world [she lives] in"? (8).
g) What do you think she learned about herself and her people when she returned? Why does she say, finally, "you can go home again"? (13).
4. In the short story,
a) why does Sister Celesta play such a prominent role in the story, considering that she is neither a member of the affected family nor a member of the tribe?
b) Why does Mary Joe herself play such a minor role in the story?
c) Ultimately, what factors influence the council’s final decision about the children?
5. How do close readings of the poem and essay help you understand the key conflicts in the short story?
Note:
supplemental readings available online only. See lecture
page or the following links to Mary TallMountain's poem and autobiographical
essay. |
