Perspective

There are two main points of view taken in this book-that of the authors and that of the storytellers. As described in the section on "Language" that follows, the authors seem to have a mostly academic, objective perspective on the stories they're presenting. In particular, the historical context within which each story developed and recounted is defined in generally unemotional terms. For example, almost no opinions are expressed one way or another about the way in which White Men treated the Indians-they are described at times as being aggressive and determined, but there is little or no expression of deeper emotional attitude toward their behavior. What's important to note, however, is that the language the authors use in their introductory notes at times indicates their profound respect, bordering on awe, for the culture from which these myths and stories come and for the individuals recounting them. In terms...