Trickster Coyote

Term Paper # 99652

Native-American Studies

Trickster Coyote

This paper examines the role of trickster Coyote in Native-American tradition.

2,983 words () | 9 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses one of the most famous characters in Native- American oral traditions, the trickster Coyote. The paper examines Haruo Aoki's story "Coyote and Fox" and shows how Coyote serves not only as entertainment, but also as a teaching tool for other generations to learn from. The paper illustrates why the use of these animals is important and what it reveals about Native-American life and values.

From the Paper:

"One of the most famous characters in Native American oral traditions is that of the trickster Coyote. This character appears in hundreds of Native tales, and in many different tribes. Coyote "the trickster...tends to express unbridled human desires (Leeming 47)." For example in Aoki's story "Coyote and Fox," Coyote exhibits many traits that are common in most Native stories, in this tale though, "He is excessively demanding of food (Leeming 47)." In this particular story of "Coyote and Fox," by Haruo Aoki, Coyote illustrates many forms of boundaries for listeners to learn from. Also, Coyote's disregard to protocol and misbehavior serve as an example of "what not to do," and gives attention to the proper behavior of Fox. Also, Coyote's interactions with Fox create a form through which others may learn. "The funny and immoral activities of the trickster are used to teach children morality by example (Leeming 48)." Aoki's tale illustrates this teaching role of Coyote the trickster."

Sample of Sources Used:

Aoki, Haruo. "Coyote and Fox." Native American Texts Series: Coyote Stories. Ed. William Bright. Native American Text Ser. 1. Chicago: The University of ' Chicago Press, 1978. 26-31
Bright, William. A Coyote Reader. Berkeley: Unverstiy of Califonia Press, 1993.
Gill, Jerry. Native American Worldviews. New York: Humanity Books, 2002.
Leeming, David and Jake, Page. The Mythology of Native North America. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1998.
Nez Perce Tribe. Nez Perce Tribe History. 2005. 15 May 2005<http://www.nezperce.org>