The art that will not die: The story-telling of Greg Sarris and Thomas King.

Abstract

This study addresses the importance of the continuance of storytelling through the written medium in the understanding of one's individuality in relationship to place the community. More importantly, it investigates the storytelling techniques of Native American writers, specifically the works of Pomo/Miwok Greg Sarris and Cherokee Thomas King, and how they fulfill their roles and responsibilities as story-tellers. Chapter One offers background on the importance of traditional storytelling to contemporary Indian writers. Discussed in this chapter is the labeling imperative (and the role of academics in criticizing and theorizing about Native American literature), as well as an exploration of the proper perspective in terms of both a writer's qualifications to write about a given topic. This chapter also address Walter Benjamin in context of his essay "Storyteller" and why his claim that the art of storytelling is coming to an end is erroneous. Chapter Two offers a definition of "story-telling, " and explores the questions: "Why do we tell stories?", "What is the role and responsibility of both the storyteller and her/his audience?", and "What does her story say about the storyteller herself?" Chapter Three focuses on the work of Greg Sarris, in particular Watermelon Nights and Grand Avenue, as well as Keeping Slug Woman Alive and Mabel McKay: Weaving the Dream. For Sarris, his identity is merged with his tribal identity, and how he both illuminates this in his writings and also fulfills his roles and responsibility as a story-teller. Chapter Four addresses the stories of Thomas King by expanding on the discussion begun in the previous two chapters, through an analysis of his three novels: Medicine River, Green Grass Running Water, and Truth and Bright Water. Chapter Five concludes this particular angle of introspection on story-telling---not meant as the final word, but rather an encouragement of the continuation of the discussion of the role and importance of story-tellers in contemporary society.