Song of Hiawatha -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 08:36:30 04/10/08 Thu
Author: CS Holden
Subject: Song of Hiawatha

I�ve had to do some research for a publishing company in town on some legends and myths from local Indian tribes. It turns out Henry Schoolcraft wrote an epic poem called �The Song of Hiawatha,� which is not a perfect retelling of the myths. In it, Hiawatha�s grandmother sends him to find an evil warrior. Hiawatha goes off in a canoe. When the two men meet, there is a big fight. This warrior is strong and protected by a coat of seashells. At first, Hiawatha can not hurt him. Then a red woodpecker speaks to him. The bird tells him where to aim his arrows. Finally, Hiawatha wins. Indian legends often have a magic animal. This talking bird is an example.

Two things:

There has to be some significance to the woodpecker, possibly in the fact that he�s red.

And while this is not part of the poem itself, the historical Hiawatha is known for healing people and for creating wampum, or beaded strings made from seashells. Interesting that this is the armor of Hiawatha�s enemy in the poem.

What�s the connection?

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Replies:

Re: Song of Hiawatha -- Katelyn R., 18:14:01 04/13/08 Sun