Literary Analysis

Question 0

Trickster tales

Answer 0

type of folk tale that features an animal or human character who typically engages in deceit, violence, and magic. Often, trickster tales are mythic, explaining how some aspect of human nature or the natural world came to be.

Question 1

folk tale

Answer 1

simple story passed orally from one generation to the next.

Question 2

archetypal characters

Answer 2

aka. tricksters, schemers, scoundrels. character types that can be found in literary works from different cultures throughout the ages.

Question 3

What does “Coyote and the Buffalo” teach or explain? Support your answer with specific lines from the story.

Answer 3

In the first trick we learn that cleverness, quick-thinking, and wits will help you survive
• In the end the old woman tricks him by taking the bones…we learn that you can’t be naïve in life.
• Killing the cow was greedy on his part, so we learn you shouldn’t be greedy in life.

Question 4

What information about the following aspects of Okanogan culture do you glean from this tale?

• Traits or qualities the Okanogan admired as well as those they disapproved of:
• The traditional role of women in Okanogan society
• Okanogan rituals and religious beliefs

Answer 4

• Traits or qualities the Okanogan admired as well as those they disapproved of:
o Admired: quick-thinking; cleverness
o Disapproved of: greediness
• The traditional role of women in Okanogan society
o Women have their place in the home in this society…they cook.
• Okanogan rituals and religious beliefs
o Reincarnation (Buffalo Bull’s bones come back to life after being desecrated
o Spirit helpers: Guardian Angel/ one’s conscience
o Rituals: Pipe smoking

Question 5

Identify the ways in which Coyote fits the definition of a trickster. Cite evidence from the selection to support your answer.

Answer 5

• Coyote creates the new set of horns for Buffalo Bull vs. He destroys the cow at the end just because he is hungry.
• Coyote tricks Buffalo Bull and gets away with his life vs. he is tricked by the old woman and she takes off with the bones.

Question 6

What are qualities of the “trickster” archetype?

What does the tale reveal about the culture from which it came?

Answer 6

Greed is bad; cleverness good