Essay Questions

How does Boyden blend customs and folklore in the book The Orenda?

The author is focused on exploring why the Native American culture and traditions are vanishing fast into thin air. In the past, tradition and culture were vital factors in determining the success of an individual. However, things have changed since the intrusion of the white culture, which does not value the role of traditions and culture in society. According to the author, the ancient communities passed their customs from one generation to another, but things have drastically changed. The novel reveals that American's no longer understand their customs because they are highly westernized. The modern generation values what they see and hear but not folklore and unverified traditions.

What is the role of the Europeans as mentioned by Boyden in the novel?

The novel's primary intention is to help the reader understand the genesis of the horrifying and sinister change that led to the collapse of the Native American culture. The arrival of the Europeans in the Huron territory marked the beginning of the destruction of the Native American culture. The Europeans came with their intentions of dominating the locals and converting them to Christianity. The Europeans pushed the local leaders out of their territories and forced people to abandon their religion and accept the new order. Consequently, the author mentions the Europeans to help the reader understand the Europeans' role in the collapse of the Native American culture.

What is the symbolic meaning of the epidemic that that sweeps through the communities mentioned in the novel?

The plague is emblematically used in this novel to represent the priority to survive. People are dying in large numbers, and there is a need for communities to unite and work towards defeating the plague, which is their common enemy. The epidemic is taking advantage of the tribal conflicts to spread very first and kill more people. The Bird has stopped taking revenge against its neighbor so that they can unite and defeat the plague. The author's message is vivid, and he urges readers to avoid societal conflicts because it creates an avenue for problems such as the plague to sweep out the entire community.