Hyde

Page 1: Title Page

• Book Title: Trickster Makes This World

  • Theme: Mischief, Myth, and Art

  • Author: Lewis Hyde

  • Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York

Page 2: Copyright and Distribution

• Copyright Information:

  • 1998 by Lewis Hyde, Foreword Copyright © 2010 by Michael Chabon

  • Distributed in Canada by D&M Publishers

• Acknowledgments for Reprints:

  • Various acknowledgments for reprints from other authors and works noted on this page.

Page 3: Dedication

• Dedication of the book is to Matthew:

  • Evokes imagery of Hermes and trickster themes with humor and playfulness.

Page 4: Introduction to Trickster Concepts

• Quote by Paul Radin: Focus on evolving interpretations of trickster across generations.

• Quote by Frank Kermode: Reflection on the transient nature of interpretations.

• Introduction of personal anecdote involving Navajo men and a coyote story emphasizing the duality of truth in storytelling.

Page 5: The Coyote Story

• The story of Coyote and his eyes:

  • Coyote learns from a man the trick to take out and return his eyes.

  • Humor in the story as Coyote disobeys the man's warnings.

  • Themes of vision, awareness, and self-limitation.

Page 6: Understanding Trickster Dynamics

• Significance of the story:

  • The absurdity of the coyote's actions reveals deeper truths about human experience.

  • Comparison of transcendental principles to the trickster's actions.

Page 7: Trickster as Boundary-Crosser

• Trickster nature discussed:

  • Tricksters exist outside accepted norms; they are spirit figures at thresholds and crossroads.

  • Concept of personal and societal boundaries that tricksters disrupt or transcend.

• Historical examples of trickster figures like Hermes and Coyote who manipulate boundaries.

Page 8: Trickster’s Role in Society

• Tricksters embody ambiguity, creating and distorting boundaries.

• Examples of different cultural tricksters such as Raven, Eshu, and Coyote who defy categorization.

Page 9: Gender Observations in Trickster Lore

• Analysis of female tricksters in contrast to male ones within patriarchal societies.

• The absence of complex female trickster narratives in comparison to male figures.

Page 10: Trickster as Creator of Culture

• Tricksters often honored as cultural creators despite their disruptive actions.

• Notion that their supposed misdeeds are seen as necessary for societal dynamism, emphasizing the sacredness of their character.

Pages 11-12: Modern Tricksters and Their Cultural Impact

• Exploration of contemporary contexts for tricksters (e.g. American politics and individualism).

• The avoidance of the singular high god in favor of polytheism as a means to allow the resurgence of trickster dynamics.

• Comparison of tricksters with the concept of the Devil; tricksters represent moral and ethical ambiguity rather than outright evil.

Pages 13-14: The Role of Humor and Playfulness

• Examination of humor in trickster narratives to reveal truths and societal contradictions.

• Tricksters facilitate cultural commentary through their antics.

Page 15: Influential Trickster Figures in Art

• Notable artists (e.g. Duchamp, Ginsberg) as modern embodiments of trickster characteristics; innovative yet boundary-crossing.

• Exploration of how their works provoke societal reflections and challenge norms.

Page 16: PART ONE: TRAP OF NATURE

• Introduction of structure dividing the book into thematic parts.

Page 17: Chapter Two: Trickster Arts and Works of Artus

• Exploration of the intersection between trickster characters and art creation.

• Mention of trickster's role in transforming cultures.

Page 18: Cross-Cultural Trickster Narratives

• Example of Norse trickster Loki and the Ossetian Syrdon revealing shared themes in trickster lore.

• Discussion of the symbolism of joints relating to the fragility of ideals and cultural constructs.

Pages 19-32: Trickster Function and Dynamics in Art Creation

• The trickster's role in carving nature and societal norms, paralleling mythological narratives with actual artistic practices.

• Examination of rituals and practices emphasizing trickster actions as joint-disturbing.

Page 33-46: Revisiting Trickster Dynamics

• How the trickster figures operate at societal intersections affecting cultures.

• Emphasis on the importance of reinterpretation of tradition through trickster actions.

• Continued insights into how tricksters maintain cultural dialogue within their narratives.