Literary Essay

So far for my literary essay I have started reading the book I found with the oral histories of the Native Americans. I haven't done any internet research yet.

Research Proposal for Literary Essay

All cultures of the world have stories of the creation of life, love, war, demise and birth. When most people in America think of these things their minds normally go to Christian beliefs, Greek or Roman mythology or other major world religions. One interesting and local source we seem to forget is the Native American beliefs. I plan to compare and contrast the myths and legends of the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes of northern America; to see similarities and differences in Native American culture. As a natural born American the indigenous culture in this country is something I feel should interest those who know little about pre-historic America.
My main source is a collection of oral history that has been documented by an archaeologist who worked with a Native American enthusiast. The sources I have collected are stories on creation, sun moon and stars, heroes and monsters, war and warriors, love and lust, tricksters, animals, spirits and the apocalypse. American Indian Myths and Legends selected and edited by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, has been a very helpful source as it has many different native tales in a wide variety of topics.
I plan to collect oral histories using the bibliography of the book American Indian Myths and Legends. Along with the information gained from this book I plan to find and use accredited web sites on the topic, and possibly a published archaeologist in the area.
Works Cited
Erdoes, Richard and Alfonso Ortiz ed. American Indian Myths and Legends. New York: Pantheon, 1984.

Update

I'm ashamed to admit I have completely been neglecting my literary essay due to working on the draft for my research paper. My research paper is coming along all right I neglected to find visual aides and deleted the only quote from my interview and need to incorporate one in my final draft. I also need to find a way to add more to my paper as it was short.

Feild Research

I called Sue Totterdale on March thirty-first. Sue is a minister, a wedding consultant, and a wedding planner. Sue helped develop the National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP). Sue was the NAWP president for four years and has been the national board chairman for two years. Sue has also received the 2005 NAWP National member of the year award. I did not have the chance to talk to Sue much but between the phone conversation and an email she sent me I have quite a bit of information from her.
I have also been to at least three weddings within the last year. Where I have witnessed so many of the traditions I have been researching.