Introduction
The novel House Made of Dawn, first published in 1968, was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1969. With the incorporation of Native materials into the Anglo-American novel Momaday introduced the Native American Renaissance at the end of the 1960s. And, indeed, as one of the first contemporary Native American writers Momaday employs on the one hand traditional oral tales, fragments of poetry and historical documents. On the other hand House Made of Dawn illustrates his “Western” fascination with structure, a literary device almost absent in oral storytelling or traditional Native American literature. The novel makes use of multiple points of view, stream-of-consciousness techniques, sudden changes of time and chronology, which are primarily achieved by flashbacks and flashforwards. Momaday’s delight in imagery, especially of nature, reflect his study of Romantics’ and Symbolists’ work.
The book’s content, as well as that of other works by the author, is a reflection of Momaday’s personal identity and the various cultural traditions that shaped it. The following literary analysis will therefore focus on the embedding of aspects of Momaday’s identity and try to explain some of the cultural elements interwoven in the story. As the author repeatedly employs autobiographical materials, a short representation of his past seems indispensable.
Due to the designated size of this paper, a detailed analysis of all interesting and noteworthy aspects seems impossible. Also, with regard to the interrelatedness of form and content, there won’t be subdivisions separated by headlines within the analysis.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Analysis
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This literary analysis aims to explore the intertwining of N. Scott Momaday's personal identity and cultural heritage within his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, House Made of Dawn. The analysis will focus on how Momaday incorporates aspects of his multi-faceted background—including Kiowa, Navajo, and Jemez influences alongside his Euro-American upbringing and formal literary training—into the narrative structure and thematic content of the novel.
- The blending of Native American oral traditions with Western literary techniques.
- The exploration of Native American identity and its complexities in the context of assimilation and cultural mixing.
- The significance of landscape and place in shaping individual identity and cultural belonging.
- The use of autobiographical elements and their impact on the novel's narrative and thematic development.
- The interplay between form and content in conveying the author's unique perspective and experiences.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn, highlighting its significance as a pivotal work in the Native American Renaissance. It establishes the novel's use of diverse literary techniques, including multiple points of view, stream-of-consciousness, and shifts in time, reflecting Momaday's influences from both oral storytelling and Western literature. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of understanding Momaday's personal identity and cultural background in interpreting the novel, setting the stage for a detailed examination of the interwoven cultural elements within the narrative.
Analysis: This chapter delves into the narrative structure and content of House Made of Dawn. It examines the novel's complex, four-part flashback structure, beginning with a Jemez Pueblo-inspired prologue that hints at the moral dimension of the story. The chapter analyzes the author's use of highly descriptive and carefully chosen language, reflecting his literary training and his belief in the power of words. It also emphasizes the significance of Momaday's multi-cultural heritage—Kiowa, Navajo, Jemez, and Euro-American—and how these diverse influences shape the novel's characters, settings, and themes. The chapter connects Momaday's personal history, including his upbringing in different cultural settings and his strong connection to the New Mexico landscape, to the narrative and its exploration of identity and cultural belonging. The chapter connects these experiences to the novel's content and themes, emphasizing the author's unique perspective shaped by his experiences and heritage.
Keywords
Native American literature, N. Scott Momaday, House Made of Dawn, Native American Renaissance, identity, cultural blending, oral tradition, Western literature, landscape, autobiography, multi-culturalism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of *House Made of Dawn*
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview providing an overview of a literary analysis of N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the focus of the literary analysis?
The analysis explores the interconnectedness of Momaday's personal identity and cultural heritage within House Made of Dawn. It examines how his Kiowa, Navajo, Jemez, and Euro-American backgrounds influence the novel's narrative and themes.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the blending of Native American oral traditions with Western literary techniques; the complexities of Native American identity in the context of assimilation; the significance of landscape in shaping identity; the use of autobiographical elements; and the interplay between form and content in conveying the author's unique perspective.
What literary techniques are discussed?
The analysis discusses Momaday's use of multiple points of view, stream-of-consciousness, shifts in time, highly descriptive language, and the novel's four-part flashback structure, emphasizing the influence of both oral storytelling and Western literature.
What is covered in the "Introduction" chapter summary?
The introduction establishes the significance of House Made of Dawn within the Native American Renaissance, highlights its diverse literary techniques, and emphasizes the importance of understanding Momaday's background for interpreting the novel.
What is covered in the "Analysis" chapter summary?
The analysis chapter delves into the novel's structure and content, examining its complex flashback structure, the author's use of language, the influence of Momaday's multicultural heritage, and the connection between his personal history and the novel's exploration of identity and cultural belonging.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Native American literature, N. Scott Momaday, House Made of Dawn, Native American Renaissance, identity, cultural blending, oral tradition, Western literature, landscape, autobiography, and multiculturalism.
What is the intended audience for this document?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting structured and professional analysis of themes within *House Made of Dawn*.
Where can I find the complete literary analysis?
This document is a preview; the complete literary analysis is not included here.
- Quote paper
- Anja Dinter (Author), 2001, Native American Literature - An Analysis of Navaree Scott Momaday’s "House Made of Dawn", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75123
