The Sky Tree Sparknotes

Native American cultures have a rich history of oral traditions which include myths, legends, folktales, chants, songs, and prayers. Stories are used to pass on knowledge and moral lessons. “Sky Tree” and “Coyote Finishes His Work” holds many aspects of Native American literature. As such, it occupies a prominent place amongst contemporary Native American literary works. Native American literature views the world from a natural perspective. Characters are not just limited to human beings in their myths, folk tales, and beliefs, but they extend to animals, often giving them human like characteristics, and in many of the older myths, animals are used as a form of expounding creation stories. Native Americans typically uses the power of metaphors …show more content…
The central plot focuses on an individual’s struggle of trying to recuperate her husband to health. Along her journey, she encountered bumps and potholes. Nevertheless, with the help of her community, she was able to overcome such tribulations. This was exemplified when “…all of the water animals began to dive down and bring up soil.” They all came together in unison to help their fellow peer who was in desperate need of help. In addition, “The Sky Tree” was a symbolic meaning of life in their community because, “All of the food which the people in that Sky Land ate came from the great tree.” As a result, “The Sky Tree” resembled some aspects of Native American Literature because it was a way of strengthening communal bonds. “Coyote Finishes His Work” is more like what most people today believe. As usual of the Native American literature, the “Coyote Finishes His Work” uses anthropomorphism throughout the story. There was a messenger, Coyote, and the all powerful watcher, Old Man. Coyote went around the world teaching the people “…how to eat…how to hunt…what to wear”, thus, exhibiting aspects of starting