Title of work you are analyzing: The Iroquois Creation Story Author of the work: David Cusick 1.
What is the purpose or function of the work? Why was it written? Explain. Be specific. Include thegenre as well as the reasons it was written. Even though Cusick considers his work history, it is a myth. The myth discusses the “foundation” and establishment of the Iroquois world and well as the constant struggle between good and evil.
In the work Cusick describes how the land was formed as well as how the sun, moon, and the starts were formed by the good mind twin. “The good mind continued the works of creation, and formed numerous creeks and rivers on the Great Island, and then created numerous species of animals of the smallest and the greatest, to inhabit the forests, and fishes of all kinds to inhabit the waters. While the good twin was creating thing that were useful to the people of earth the bad twin was busy creating the that were of no use or dangerous to the people of earth. “The bad mind while his brother was making the universe went throughout the Island and made numerous high mountains and falls of water, and great steeps, and also created various reptiles which would be injurious to mankind. ” 2.
What cultural values and beliefs are evident in the text? Include evidence (quotations) from the work. One cultural value that sticks out to me is envy.Evidence is shown in the following: “The bad mind proceeded further in his motives and he made two images of clay in the form of mankind; but while he was giving them existence they became apes; and when he had not the power to create mankind he was envious against his brother. ” Another cultural value expressed in the work is respect for the earth and its inhabitants.
“The good mind now accomplishes the works of creation, not withstanding the imaginations of the bad mind were continually evil; and he attempted to enclose all the animals of game in the earth, so as to deprive them from mankind. 3. What behaviors are encouraged and/or discouraged in this work? Include examples and evidence from the text. This may require a good bit of analysis for some works.
It will be easier for others. One behavior that is encouraged in this work is the no matter one you should always try to over come evil. This is evident when the good mind submitted to the bad minds offer to meet to resolve who would oversee universe once and for all. Even thought the good mind is good he does what ever is necessary to defeat the bad mind.He does this by getting the bad mind to confess what his instrument of death was, in the case deer horns. 4.
What does the work reveal or illustrate about the culture or society? What attitudes, opinions, values, beliefs, and practices are reflected in the work? Include evidence and examples from the work. The work reveals even though the Iroquois people were not Christians by all means they still realized that there is still good and evil in the world.They also believe that all evil souls will sink into eternal doom (hell) and all good souls will “retire” from earth and live in the heavens overlooking earth. “at last the good mind gained the victory by using the horns, as mentioned the instrument of death, which he succeeded in deceiving his brother and he crushed him in the earth; and the last words uttered from the bad mind were, that he would have equal power over the souls of mankind after death and he sinks down to eternal doom and became the Evil Spirit.
” (Cusick, The Iroquois Creations Story.Pg 21) 5. What influenced this work? What influences are evident in this work? Is it influenced by other works or a particular movement or historical event? How can you tell? Explain. The work was influenced by the politics of the time.
When Andrew Jackson won the presidency he express wanting to remove all Indians to west of the Mississippi River. Some historians believe that the “monsters” Cusick discusses in his work maybe his way of expressing his displeasure with the threat Americans imposed on the Iroquois Nation.
