THE INFLUENCE OF NATIVE AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY IN LITERATURE

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 17TH APR 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Native American mythology has played a powerful and often underappreciated role in shaping literature, particularly in the realms of folklore, symbolism, and storytelling traditions. These mythologies, passed down orally for generations, are rich with spiritual wisdom, natural symbolism, and moral lessons—elements that have deeply influenced both Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers.

Central to Native American mythology is a profound connection to nature. Animals, seasons, and landscapes are more than mere settings; they are living entities with spiritual significance. This animistic worldview has inspired countless writers to adopt more holistic, nature-centered perspectives in their storytelling. For instance, trickster figures like Coyote and Raven appear not only in traditional tales but have also been reimagined in modern novels as symbols of chaos, transformation, or cunning survival.

Writers such as N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, and Louise Erdrich have masterfully woven Native American myths into contemporary narratives, blending ancestral voices with present-day realities. These works often blur the boundaries between myth and history, dream and memory, showcasing how mythology remains a living force in Native identities and literature.

Beyond Indigenous authors, mainstream literature has also borrowed from Native mythology, sometimes respectfully and other times problematically. Works that honor these traditions often explore themes like cyclical time, sacred geography, and the interconnectedness of all life—core tenets of Native thought.

In today’s literary landscape, the resurgence of Indigenous voices is reigniting interest in Native American myths, not as relics of the past, but as vital tools for cultural expression, resistance, and healing. These mythologies continue to inform and enrich storytelling, offering alternative worldviews and timeless truths that challenge dominant narratives and invite deeper reflection on humanity's place in the world.