| The purpose of this study was to examine the presentation of American Indians in high school American literature anthology textbooks. This examination counted the frequency and distribution of selections by and about American Indians and analyzed whether the presentation reinforced and/or perpetuated stereotypes of American Indian people.;The procedures of this study replicated a study by Charles (1986), using previously designed tools and categories. Data was collected and analyzed on selections written by American Indian authors and, unlike Charles, EuroAmerican authors who mentioned American Indians. The form and content of the selections were categorized; then tabulated. Inferences were made from the frequency and occurrence of these categories.;Analysis of the tabulated frequencies of form and content categories revealed that the anthologized selections in the American literature textbooks did not represent the diversity and complexity of American Indian people. An inadequate range of genre was discovered and the presentation of tribal and regional variance was unbalanced. Selections with metaphysic and conflict themes were also unevenly distributed. It was determined that selections in the American literature anthology textbooks reinforced the stereotypes of savage savage, living fossil and particularly generic Indian. Like the Charles' study also, it was determined that the selections did not reinforce the noble savage stereotype. |
