| Most psychological research with Native Americans to date has focused on very real problems facing these groups. While this offers an important perspective, research has not adequately represented the strength, adaptability or resiliency of these diverse peoples. This study evaluates the resiliency factors within modern Native American literature, as expressed through humor and the survivalist Trickster figure from traditional myth.; As a foundation for understanding resiliency, the psychological roles of emotion and humor are reviewed. Traditional myth is discussed, including the complex Trickster figure. Issues of modern Indian-ness are also introduced, while recognizing that any discussion of identity cannot be exhaustive. An interview with author Sherman Alexie will help illuminate these subjects.; Using a modified grounded theory approach, this study analyzes five literary works from Louise Erdrich, Leslie Marmon Silko, and Sherman Alexie, all Native Americans active in the literary community. The primary hypothesis is that these sources of modern Native American literature would show central themes of resiliency, survival and growth was found to be accurate. The hypothesis that the traditional Trickster figure of myth lives on in modern literature, providing a message for resiliency, was also borne out in the analysis. Humor and Indian-ness were also hypothesized to be sources of strength, and these were universal findings in our literary examples.; Additional findings beyond the original hypotheses were also found. A broad theme of Resilience recurred throughout the literature, juxtaposed against a theme of Multi-Systemic Problems, characterized by chronic and severe difficulties impacting multiple levels of functioning. Resilience embodied smaller themes of Flexibility, Humor, Language and Stories, Ceremony, Trickster, and Indian-ness. Flexibility was a surprising finding, and was the foundation for all other forms of Resilience.; The message of these literary works is that modern Indians actively nurture hope, resilience, and growth. This is accomplished through a flexible and balanced approach to appraisal and coping, an acceptance of both conscious and unconscious contents, and recognition that in Indian-ness is found the necessary elements for survival. |
