The Trick to Reading a Trickster Tale

On first inspection, the scenarios and encounters of an honestly Native American trickster tale are considerably strange. Everything—from the sporadic plot, to the anamorphic characters, to the subject matter (which contain wonderful elements like a speaking laxative bulb and a trickster who carries his penis in a box)—culminate into stories that can be off-putting, if not absurd, to those of a European or non-Native descent. However, to say that these unusual elements are the primary features of a trickster tale is to do them a great disservice. Because the fables of European literature contrast so starkly with those of the Native American’s, and would never be so forward as to include something like a character who cannot escape his own defecation, these seemingly outlandish facets have unfortunately, and misleadingly, become these tales dominating features. Therefore, it would serve one well not to become mired by stories unusual events, and instead focus on its true purpose as an entertaining anecdote meant to teach lessons and social responsibilities.

Nevertheless, that does not mean one must completely ignore the fanciful oddities that make trickster tales so enjoyable. In all actuality, these details can be integral parts of the narrative directly connected to its core message or embedded lessons. For example, when one considers the previously mentioned story of Coyote and the laxative bulb he consumed, the outrageous (and even gross) consequences of his actions are not only attention grabbing, but they also illustrate the important warning within the story. Namely, it advises against thinking one is smarter or superior to nature, and further serves to show how cautious one must be when consuming what they find in the forests. Though such advice may be lost on the European reader, for the Native American, the story illustrates two essential pieces of information that were probably central to survival.

Now, it goes to say that not all the myths are solely about one’s survival, and oftentimes are more about ritual and superstition. A prime example comes in the form of the Clatsop Chinook people’s story of Coyote and his attempts (and subsequent failures) while fishing for salmon. Of course, much of the advice the tale offers concerns the proper way to catch, clean, and cook these fish, but the real questions begin when the story confronts various fishing taboos. Murderers, corpse-handlers, menstruating girls and women, and widowed people are all restricted and are not to catch the salmon Coyote seeks. The list itself is quite baffling, and the reasons as to why these select groups were prohibited is never stated, but it can be fairly argued that there might have been logical grounds for the taboos, which over time has become lost as the story was passed outside the tribe. Conversely, such might not have been the case, as it would not have been the first time in history that a certain group would be thought of as ill luck for no concrete reason other than silly superstition. Whatever the cause, the story still stands, and like its fellow trickster tales, it has successfully kept Native American morals, values, lessons, and taboos alive throughout the generations.