In “Proceed with Caution: Using Native American Folktales in the Classroom,” Debbie Reese describes rules which classify whether a specific piece of Native American literature should be either allowed to use in a high school classroom or not. Momaday’s stories are qualified to be used in high school classrooms because of their authenticity and they do not influence white ways, however, Alexie’s stories aren’t qualified to be used in high school classroom because they contain racial assumptions that are not suitable for high schools.
Alexie’s stories in “The Unauthorized Autobiography of Me” are not acceptable in high schools because of their racial discrimination. In the beginning of his autobiography, Alexie explains life on his reservation …show more content…
Momaday explains a story about his grandmother’s tribal prayers and one day he decides to listen to one of her prayers. Momaday states, “She made long, rambling prayers out of suffering and hope, having seen many things. I was never sure that I had the right to hear, so exclusive were they of all mere custom and company” (Momaday 10). The articulateness of this piece from the article reflects tribal ways in the writing style and traditional ways about keeping the young from the elderly during traditions, such as prayer. The writing style of this passage reflects traditional Native Americans and how elders are respected the most, then second generation, then the first generation. This should be used in a high school classroom because students can learn about traditions of the Kiowa tribe with an authentic piece of literature, following Reese’s rules. Towards the end of his article, Momaday tells the story of how the Kiowa tribe originated. In the story, he explains, “And later they took the name Gaigwu, a name which can be taken to indicate something of which the two halves differ from each other in appearance” (Momaday 17). This follows Reese’s rule of accurately telling the story of a tribal original story, excluding white values, and having incorrect grammar in the stories. This should be used …show more content…
Therefore, Momaday’s stories can be used in high schools because of their authenticities, but Alexie’s stories can not be used in a high school because of their racial
Alexie’s stories in “The Unauthorized Autobiography of Me” are not acceptable in high schools because of their racial discrimination. In the beginning of his autobiography, Alexie explains life on his reservation …show more content…
Momaday explains a story about his grandmother’s tribal prayers and one day he decides to listen to one of her prayers. Momaday states, “She made long, rambling prayers out of suffering and hope, having seen many things. I was never sure that I had the right to hear, so exclusive were they of all mere custom and company” (Momaday 10). The articulateness of this piece from the article reflects tribal ways in the writing style and traditional ways about keeping the young from the elderly during traditions, such as prayer. The writing style of this passage reflects traditional Native Americans and how elders are respected the most, then second generation, then the first generation. This should be used in a high school classroom because students can learn about traditions of the Kiowa tribe with an authentic piece of literature, following Reese’s rules. Towards the end of his article, Momaday tells the story of how the Kiowa tribe originated. In the story, he explains, “And later they took the name Gaigwu, a name which can be taken to indicate something of which the two halves differ from each other in appearance” (Momaday 17). This follows Reese’s rule of accurately telling the story of a tribal original story, excluding white values, and having incorrect grammar in the stories. This should be used …show more content…
Therefore, Momaday’s stories can be used in high schools because of their authenticities, but Alexie’s stories can not be used in a high school because of their racial