Subject
Indians of North America -- Drama Books
Best books
Mary Austin
The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts
"The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts" by Mary Austin is a play first performed in 1911. Set among the Paiutes in the Sierra Nevada, it centers on The Chisera, a Medicine Woman who serves as intermediary between her people and the gods. When she abandons her sacred role for forbidden love with Simwa, the Arrow Maker, her choice triggers a chain of tribal conflict, betrayal, and tragedy. Austin crafted the work with archaeological precision, drawing on authentic Native American ceremonies, music, and customs.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A dramatization of Longfellow's Hiawatha: A spectacular drama in six acts
"A dramatization of Longfellow's Hiawatha: A spectacular drama in six acts" by A. L. De Vine is a dramatic rendition of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "Hiawatha," likely written in the late 19th century. This work serves as a theatrical play that delves into Native American culture, showcasing their customs, characteristics, and spirituality through the lens of Hiawatha's life and adventures. The dramatic structure is organized into six acts that bring Longfellow's poetic narrative to life. The play follows Hiawatha, a legendary figure among the Ojibwe people, as he is called by Gitche Manitou, the Great Spirit, to unite the tribes in peace. The acts chronicle key moments in Hiawatha's life: from his childhood and his love for Minnehaha, to their wedding feast and the tragic events of famine and sickness that lead to Minnehaha's death. The final act portrays Hiawatha's poignant farewell to his people as he departs in search of peace and understanding, bringing a contemplative closure to the narrative. Overall, the dramatization captures the beauty and hardships of Native American life, as well as the themes of love, unity, and loss that resonate through Hiawatha's journey.
Jack London
The Acorn-Planter A California Forest Play (1916)
"The Acorn-Planter" by Jack London is a dramatic play written in the early 20th century, specifically in 1916. This work is categorized as a California forest play, which uses lyrical elements and characters from Native American cultures to explore themes of life, kindness, and the consequences of violence. The play reflects on the nature of humanity and the importance of planting seeds—both literally and metaphorically—while contrasting the philosophies of war and peace. The storyline revolves around Red Cloud, the first man of the Nishinam tribe, who advocates for the ways of the acorn-planter, emphasizing the importance of nurturing life over engaging in conflict. As the narrative unfolds through different time periods, Red Cloud's ideals clash with those of the War Chief, who favors aggression. When a group of European explorers, the "Sun Men," arrives, they are initially met with hostility, resulting in tragedy and death. Ultimately, the themes converge on the necessity for brotherhood and kindness among all people, culminating in a hope for a new day characterized by planting seeds of life rather than death, where all humanity could coexist harmoniously. The play poignantly illustrates the cyclical nature of violence and the eternal struggle between the drive for survival through war and the gentler path of cultivation and peace.
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