Routledge Introduction to Native American Literature

This book provides a refined set of tools for decolonizing approaches to Native American literatures, introducing indigenous perspectives and traditions as articulated by indigenous authors. It emphasizes that Native literature precedes colonization and is rooted in both the precolonized and decolonizing worlds, serving as a strategy for survival.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 23 July 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive introduction provides students, instructors, and aficionados with a valuable set of tools for decolonizing their approaches to Native American literature. It seeks to introduce indigenous perspectives and traditions as articulated by indigenous authors, whose voices have been a vital, yet often overlooked, component of the American dialogue for over 400 years.

It is essential to understand that literature did not emerge as a gift from the settler culture to Native peoples, whether through benevolent interventions or violent programs of forced assimilation. Native literature predates colonization, and Native stories and traditions have their roots in both the precolonized and the decolonizing worlds.

As this extensive survey of Native literary contributions will demonstrate, indigenous writers who ventured into the world of Western letters did so with the explicit intention of preserving their indigenous culture and community. Writing has always been, and remains, a survival strategy.

By engaging with this introduction, students will gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of Native American literature and its role in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States. Instructors will find valuable resources and insights to enhance their teaching and promote inclusivity in the classroom. And aficionados will discover a wealth of literary works that offer a fresh perspective on American history and culture.

In conclusion, this introduction serves as a crucial gateway to exploring the world of Native American literature, offering a framework for decolonizing our approaches and recognizing the invaluable contributions of indigenous authors to the American literary tradition.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138630246