Story of Alexander

Essay # 2: Anishinaabe scholar Lawrence Gross in “Cultural Sovereignty and Native American Hermeneutics in the Interpretation of the Sacred Stories” suggest that interpretation of Anishinaabe stories stress values over meaning. (128) Extending Gross’s idea of viewing Anishinaabe stories as carriers of cultural values, read critically Alexander Wolfe’s first three stories – The Sound of Dancing, Grandfather Bear, and The Orphan Children. Then analyse each story for evidence of cultural values.

Heritage is everything; it reflects our culture, as a golden key, which can be used through generations. Alexander Wolfe in his stories “ The Sound of Dancing,” “Grandfather Bear” and “ The Orphan Children” imbues significant aspects of Anishinaabe cultural values. In “The Sound of Dancing”, Wolfe imbues his story with sacred narrative and responsibility as cultural values. Also in “Grandfather Bear” the author, imparts cultural value through spiritual communication and rituals. Additionally, in “The Orphan Children” Wolfe inserts sacred narratives and supernatural strength, which clearly portrays strong cultural value of Anishinaabe stories. All three stories glues through with a very important aspect of the Anishinaabe cultural value being their social and spiritual ways of life. In the paragraphs, which follow, I will examine Wolfe’s stories “The Sound of Dancing,” “Grandfather Bear” and “The Orphan Children” as to how cultural values are exposed.

In “The Sound of Dancing” Wolfe imbues his story with sacred narrative and responsibility as cultural values. In this story, a grandfather and his grandson suffer attack from hostile people. Sacred narrative exposes elderly protection as the old man takes the boy to the spirit world, covers him under his robe during which the boy gets stories being recounted. It gives one a sense of cultural protection. The boy stays calm and pay attention as grandfather and other...