Compare The Subjects, Purposes, And Audiences Of Two Works
Compare The Subjects Purposes And Audiences Of Two Works Of Literatu
Compare the subjects, purposes, and audiences of two works of literature listed below. The works you choose must be from different national cultures. Your goal is to show how these two works are similar or different in terms of their subject, purpose, and audience. Support your analysis with brief evidence directly from the texts. Be sure to name the texts and authors you analyze, using signal phrases. Organize your paragraphs with clear topic sentences, unity, and coherence. Support your analysis with brief evidence from the texts. Use MLA format for citations.
Paper For Above instruction
The two works selected for comparison are the Iroquois Creation Story and King Philip’s Speech. These texts originate from different cultural contexts and serve distinct functions, yet they also reflect some shared themes related to their respective societies. Through examining their subject matter, purpose, and intended audience, we can better understand the unique cultural values each work conveys.
Iroquois Creation Story
The subject of the Iroquois Creation Story focuses on the origins of the world and humanity, emphasizing the cultural beliefs of the Iroquois Nation. This oral narrative depicts the emergence of Earth and the creation of humans through divine intervention and natural elements. The purpose of this story is to instruct members of the community about their origins and to preserve their cultural heritage. It functions as a sacred tale that reinforces the community’s values, such as harmony with nature and respect for divine forces. The audience for this story primarily includes members of the Iroquois community, especially children and elders, who serve as custodians of tradition. Its oral nature indicates its role in community bonding and cultural transmission across generations.
King Philip’s Speech
In contrast, King Philip’s Speech, delivered by Metacom (King Philip), addresses the English colonists and fellow Native Americans. Its subject concerns the conflict between Native American tribes and European settlers during King Philip’s War. The purpose of the speech is to rally Native Americans to resist colonial encroachment and to unite against the common threat posed by colonists. The speech’s audience includes fellow Native Americans and colonial authorities, with the ultimate goal of fostering resistance and survival. The speech reflects a political and strategic purpose, aiming to motivate action and preserve indigenous sovereignty amid colonial struggles. Unlike the oral storytelling tradition of the Iroquois tale, this speech is a formal political address directed at a specific audience in a confrontational context.
Comparison and Conclusion
Both works serve to convey their respective cultural values and address their communities’ needs; however, they differ significantly in their subject matter, purpose, and audience. The Iroquois Creation Story functions as a sacred, oral tradition aimed at cultural preservation and moral education within the community. Meanwhile, King Philip’s Speech is a political rallying call intended to unify and motivate Native Americans in a time of conflict, directed towards both indigenous allies and colonial opponents. Despite these differences, both texts exemplify how cultural narratives serve to reinforce collective identity and resilience in challenging circumstances. In essence, while their subjects diverge—from cosmology to warfare—their purposes revolve around community cohesion and cultural continuity.
References
- Bruchac, Joseph. "The Iroquois Creation Story." In Sacred Stories of the World’s Religions, edited by Lewis A. Finlayson, HarperOne, 1991, pp. 31-35.
- King Philip. "King Philip’s Speech." In Sources of Native American Literature, edited by Kenneth M. Roemer, Oxford University Press, 2003, pp. 54-55.