The Creation was a familiar story with a curious twist.
Somewhat of a roller coaster, jumping from one thought to the next. Never sure who
may appear next. Coyotes represent multiple dynamics in Native Indian myths. Coyotes
are a fluid character who can take many forms. In the story of Creation, as I was
told, God created the Heavens and the Earth. God and God alone spent 6 days
creating light and dark, land and sea, man and woman, and all living creatures.
The Maidu version is much more imaginative. We have a “god” in the Earthmaker.
Perhaps the Coyote and the Meadowlark represent the Earthmaker’s subconscious.
If the Christian God can be a “Father”, “Son”, and “Holy Spirit", could the Earthmaker have multiple beings as well. Why though does the Meadowlark fly away while
the Coyote is made to lay on his belly and disappear somewhere south? Is the Meadowlark
an angel and the Coyote a devil? Do they represent good and evil?
Beauty and Blood. What is the connection? Does blood
represent life? And life represent beauty?
Names are another notable theme within the Maidu creation
myth. It is important to the Earthmaker that the creatures and places each have
a name and that even each different creature would be called by different
things. Separation and ownership and even a hierarchy is evident within the myth.
The Earthmaker creates man creatures and assigns them land to live on an call
their own. A small plot of land, humble. He then makes one creature and gives
him a generous piece of land.
“And then, when you are grown, you will be born.” (pg. 31). Is
this a literal reference of conception to birth or something deeper? Being “born” is mentioned numerous times
throughout the reading, often times it is at the opening of a paragraph and again
at the end as if one creature could be “born” more than once. Is being “born” an
expression for age or rite of passage?
Hello, I totally agree with you on that aspect of how The Creation was very much like a roller coaster. I honestly enjoyed it though, all the stories and information brought up was very interesting. You know, I'm actually glad that you brought up the topic about the Coyote because I was curious as to what the Coyote could have meant since in almost all the stories that I have read that have to do with Indians, there is almost always a mention of "The Coyote". Your discussion about all of this is very interesting! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYou ask some great questions! I am especially interested by your discussion of being "born" in this story. Since we are going to use these analysis blogs for notes for projects, I suggest that if you ask a question about something, that you also give an attempt at answering that question, since the analysis will be useful for you later on. Keep up the good work!
Hi Amanda, I really appreciate your analysis of this story. I too wonder why the Meadowlark flew away. I agree on that Earthmaker is like the God. You have a good point, I see that maybe Coyote and Meadowlark are the subconscious. You really think deep, I also did not think of the Earthmaker being multiple people. I also did not get why blood is beautiful, but yes it can be because we need blood to live and life is a gift. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! I really liked your analysis of the story. I could totally see how Earthmaker could be viewed as the God of the story considering he was responsible for a majority of the creation of Earth. Personally, I feel like Earthmaker is only one being and the others (Meadowlark and Coyote) are sort of deities alongside Earthmaker. Either way, really interesting interpretation of the story.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is mind-blowing! When you made a connection between the creation as to how the Earthmaker and God created the universe interests me. I was intrigued by your analysis that the Coyote was a devil and the Meadowlark was an angel. It puts perspective to reading. Your questions are provocative and it made me think of an answer. Thank you.
Best,
Regina
Hello Amanda! This was truly a great analysis to read, and I give you props for doing so well. The Earthmaker being the God in this story is extremely suitable, and it is a great connection that you made. The Coyote can definitely be seemed as the devil, whether that was their intention or not is undetermined. Keep up the great analysis work!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, great blog post this week. Your analysis of the reading is very well done. I did an analysis on this as well and I liked seeing someone elses thoughts on it. The reading was an interesting read and it was very historical and full of visuals. I like the connections you make with the coyote being the devil and earthmaker a god. Something I would not have put pieced together. Great job.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! This was a great analysis of this story. You did a great job breaking down the story and asking some really good questions. Yes, I agree this is a very familiar story and it is very similar to the creation story in the bible, with God as the creator. You did a great job. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHello again Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThis analysis of the story you chose was very good and easy to understand. You did a good job relating it back to something you know, such as the bible. I didn't read this story so it was nice to read an analysis about it. Great work and keep it up, the connections you made were great.