Joy Harjo says that humans have a natural responsibility to their ancestors, to carry on the traditions of our forefathers and to our own children, to teach them these traditions. She encourages people to speak their truths for the sake of future and past generations. Joy Harjo is a native Oklahoman who was raised in Tulsa. She is a poet, author and musician. Joy’s poetry is autobiographical and often illuminated by nature. It is also centered on survival and language limitations. She explores this tension in her two poems, “Fall Song” and “An American Sunrise”. By comparing these two poems, we can understand how Native American Identity changes through time.
The two pieces of poetry share a common author but their stories are very different. Harjo’s writing style in ‘An American Sunrise,’ and a similar one in ‘Fall Song,’ may differ but the tone of both works is the same. Joy Harjo is a strong advocate for bringing recognition to the wrongs done in the past. She does this not only with Native American groups but all oppressed populations. Yet she also expresses optimism for the future. Joy Harjo, in the song “An American Sunrise”, is troubled by the past. She says: “We/were ready to strike, on the edge of our ancestral fights.” Many people think the Native American Culture has died when it actually continues to thrive. Harjo shows how ancestors still fight for their relatives today. Native Americans have assimilated despite the destruction and oppression of their culture. While the narrator is not based in any way on Native Americans history, he struggles with time and not just the concept. If I look backwards, I may break. / If I look forward I lose now’. The narrator of ‘An American Sunrise,’ on the other hand, is optimistic about the future. They are unable to move forward, as they are tainted with their past. The two narrators are both aware that time is a thing they cannot control.
In their writing, poets express their feelings, images, and myths to their readers using unique styles. Each reader has a unique perspective, so a poem can have different effects on people. Joy’s poem are like a look into her own life. They give readers an insight into her personal history. Harjo is trying to capture the way people think by writing in the internal style. Natasha Trethewey is a United States poet laureate who provides an insight into Joy Harjo’s creative style. Tretheway says ‘…Short declarative sentences with lines ending punctuated and rhymed are one type song. Once the punctuation stops, you get a different song. Harjo’s line structures are different because she is trying to capture the way people think. Some lines have short sentences with periods and others just a long string of words. Joy is expressing her belief that she needs to express herself to survive. It’s not always about writing the perfect sentence, but rather expressing our feelings in a simple and short way. It may seem like the narrator is struggling to find themselves, but their perseverance is what defines them at the end.
Joy Harjo reflects on her ancestors and the hardships they faced. She also recalls what she lost. Joy explores injustice and a desire to start anew with hope. The survival of Native American tribes is the basis of this poem. Joy Harjo’s ‘An American Sunrise,’ is an adaptation of Brooks’ writing to pay tribute to Gwendolyne Brooks. The first person “we” is used at the ends of many lines to suggest that the poet, or whoever he represents in the poetry, had the same feeling of hope and optimism about the future. An American Sunrise is a tale of triumph and survival. In a significant way, the narrator ends the poem by saying, “We are America.” We are aware of the rumor about our demise. They are spitted out. The poem follows the same style of writing with the repeated ‘we.’ It is written with simple sentences and ‘we.’ at the end of each line. An American Sunrise has a different style than ‘Fall Song. It is a beautiful, story-like poem that tells a tale about past and present generations.
The Native American poets are also very important because they use their personal experiences in order to create their own narratives and morals. The narrator of ‘Fall Song” says: ‘I’ve found you once again in the story’. The narrator may be referring to a lost part of the person or themselves. This line is full of mystery but also holds hope for the future. Even though this poem doesn’t specifically address Native Americans or their struggles, by viewing it through the lens of a biographies, you can better understand the impact Joy Harjo had on this text.
In addition, Native American literature focuses on rediscovering oneself in American society and history. The narrator of ‘An American Sunrise’ seems to be fed up with the stereotypes that surround their people, and the cycle they are stuck in. Harjo says that this person appears to be struggling with their own identity. He writes: “We were out-of-breath, as were ran to our selves… We were sure we were all connected in this narrative, a small amount of gin would clear up the dark / and make us dance.” These lines bring to light the confusion, exhaustion and desire of the narrator to end this cycle. The narrator wishes to establish his/her personal identity. He/she wants to take control of their lives and be free from the chains of their past. Joy Harjo expresses her identity so beautifully and hauntingly.
History is told through the eyes of the winners. Joy Harjo challenges the reader to question this narrative. Harjo asks the audience to recognize the wrongs committed in the past by Native American and other oppressed communities. Tommy Orange, author of “There There”, draws on his knowledge of Native American culture to write a powerful novel. The story is about the struggles of Native Americans in urban areas and those living in cities. The story is told in a fast-paced way, and it spans generations. It’s a multigenerational tale about identity and memory, and violence. Orange wants readers to understand the Pilgrims’ wrongdoings and recognize Native Americans’ struggle for survival. In closing, he quotes: ‘Being Indian is not about returning home. The land can be found anywhere or everywhere. This powerful quote is the perfect way to end, because it encompasses Native American identity and their struggle. This is a story about the Native Americans’ history and their struggle against time. It is important for authors to share their stories. Joy Harjo’s contribution to Native American Literature will be remembered forever. Readers can tell that Joy’s future is beautiful and hopeful by the titles ‘An American Sunrise and ‘Fall Song.’