Cannibalism in contact narratives and the evolution of the wendigo

<p>This thesis examines the relationship between colonization and cannibalism, beginning with cannibalism as represented in colonial contact narratives. I address the tendency of the colonizers to presume cannibalism of the indigenous people with whom they come into contact, and how the assumption dictates the treatment of aboriginals by colonizing Europeans. Texts discussed in this light include <em>The Tempest</em>, <em>She</em>, <em>Robinson Crusoe</em> and the journals of Christopher Columbus. Additionally, I address the effects of colonization on the indigenous associations of cannibalism in conjunction with the evolution of the wendigo. To illustrate this evolution, I primarily draw on traditional oral stories alongside the works of Louise Erdrich and Winona LaDuke, including <em>Tracks</em>, <em>Four Souls</em>, <em>The Round House</em> and <em>Last Standing Woman</em>. To close, I demarcate the trend of American television shows to appropriate the wendigo, ascertaining a fundamental misunderstanding of indigenous cultural beliefs by American popular culture.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English Language and Literature

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Lietz, Michelle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Abby Coykendall, Ph.D., First Reader
• Lori Burlingame, Ph.D., Second Reader

• Folklore
• cannibalism
• colonization
• windigos
• English Language and Literature

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/671

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2050