"Felix White Sr.'s Introduction to Wakjankaga"

This blog is comprised of my notes, reactions, and comments to Felix White Sr.'s "Introduction to Wakjankaga" as it is printed in the seventh edition of The Norton Anthology of American Literature Volume A.

Text Notes:

• "Stories about Wakjankaga"
• This opening tells the reader (or listener) that there will be four stories told in the story-telling session to come.
• The use of "ah" throughout this selection indicates that this is a literal transcripion ofstorytelling that creates a highly authentic feeling for the reader.
• "His Name"
• Wakjankaga earns his name by failing to save people from evil being (lines 35-38). 
• Remember that the literal translation of his name is "The Foolish One."
• Prior to this, Wakjankaga has been called Kununa, which means "the first son" (line 12).
• "His Duties"
• This tale explains a bit more specifically what Wakjankaga is supposed to have done when he came to Earth (his purpose as originally referenced in "His Name").
• "His Folly and His Travels"
• This again expounds on the original reference to Wakjankaga's job in "His Name."
• In this story, there is an explanation of how he becomes "fascinated by" people and "started to tease them" which led to his forgetting the original purpose of saving them from the evil beings (lines 8-9).
• This story ends with Wakjankaga beginning to travel.
• "His Longing"
• Wakjankaga's longing is for people and people's company. Specifically, he longs for the Winnebago people.  
• It is this longing that leads Wakjankaga to always return from his travels to the Winnebago people.