Introduction/ Background

Ever since I first saw Stephanie Meyer’s series, Twilight, I have been infatuated with the idea of

vampires and shape-shifters. I have always loved learning about different Native

American tribes, being that my grandfather is Cherokee, and I found it interesting how the

Quileute tribe in the series originated from wolves and were even shape-shifters that turned into

werewolves when in the presence of danger or when enraged. I wanted to do some more research

on the whole concept to get a better understanding of it and to find out if that was really a myth

amongst that tribe. I knew that a lot of times writers altered legends and myths to fit in with their

storyline so I wanted to investigate first of all to see if the Quileute were a real Native American

tribe and secondly to see if this was really the legend that they had in their culture. Is this really a

Quileute myth? Did they really believe that they originated from wolves? Do they really believe

they can shape-shift? Who or what created this legend?

The way that the werewolves were portrayed in this series stood out to me as well.

Growing up, werewolves were always depicted as a vicious animal that wreaked havoc and

needed to be feared. They changed during full moons and attacked innocent people. However in

Twilight, the werewolves were protectors and defended the people. They didn’t shape-shift

whenever there was a full moon but rather more upon their choosing, their shape-shifting to an

extent was in their control. They shape-shifted whenever they were angry, felt that they were in

danger, or when they needed to protect someone they love. In the last movie of the series, Bella,

one of the vampires, even entrusts her young daughter in the care of Jacob, a werewolf in the

Quileute tribe, while she goes off to fight the Volturi. I decided to look in to how the werewolf

has been view across cultures and how the way they’ve been viewed has evolved over the course

of time.

Commented [RW1]: good, strong introduction. I like that you are really interested in your topic.

Commented [RW2R1]:

Commented [RW3]: Instead of coming in saying “another thing” try to think of a different way to break in, because you ended your first paragraph asking questions. It sounds as if you already did a paragraph of explanation rather than a introduction paragraph. You could possible swap these two sentences.

Commented [RW4]: I enjoyed how you were able to pickup on and compare the different ways werewolves are viewed from childhood to the movie.

Literature Review

Before we can trace the evolution of the werewolf across cultures and through time, we must

first know and understand the terms used by some specific cultures when involving wolves. The

first term is shape-shifter, also known as skin-walker to certain cultures. Although shape-shifters

and skin walkers are not the exact same thing, they often get confused for each other and are

used interchangeably. Moonlight explains how Native American tribes believe that man can

transform into a wolf through shape-shifting. The Navajo tribe is most common for this belief

although the term that they use is skin-walker. The tribe believes that skin-walkers’ appearances

are different from those who are not skin-walkers. The Hopi tribe believes that shape-shifting

can be brought on by ceremonies (Moonlight 2009). In the Navajo and Hopi tribe, skin-walker

myths about humans becoming animals are most common. These said skin-walkers are not

werewolves however, but witches. The Navajo believe that skin-walkers can read minds and

imitate others voices to lure people to them. The only way to get rid of a skin-walker is to

pronounce their whole name from behind them, and three days later they will die from the wrong

they have committed (Neilson 2000). In many Native American cultures and religions, a shape-

shifter is a witch that can change its appearance and take on animal characteristics. Almost all

cultures have their own shape-shifter story, but the most common story is the werewolf. Other

places such as Africa, India, and Egypt have their own shape-shifters as well. All Native

American tribes have their own version of a shape-shifting story but they all have the same root

of a witch transforming into an animal. In the Navajo tribe skin-walkers use mind control to

make humans harm or even kill themselves (Kelleher 2014). Stypczynski in, Evolution of the

Werewolf Archetype from Ovid to J.K. Rowling, speaks on how the fascination with shape-

shifting has really evolved over the years. This concept has crossed many cultures throughout

history. It has been featured in many pieces such as books, plays, and movies (Stypczynski

2008). Next you must understand exactly what a werewolf is in different cultures. A werewolf is

a person who transforms into a wolf. It is a mythical creature and usually changes during a full

moon. The Navajo and Hopi tribes have myths that are common to werewolves, the skin-

walkers, but these skin-walkers are believed to be witches instead of wolves (Neilson 2000). The

archetype of shape-shifter has evolved into a werewolf over the years (Stypczynski 2008).

Werewolves have been at the forefront of people’s minds as something to fear when

encountered. However from the past to now the fear of werewolves has begun to die down

(Regal 2010). Werewolves are uncommon in Native American tribes and the idea of werewolves

differs from the idea of shape-shifting in Native American legends. The European belief of a

werewolf is a man shape-shifting into a human killing beast howling at a full moon. Werewolves

are extremely unlikely in Native American tribes but aren’t altogether nonexistent (Neilson

2000). Although the werewolf may be seen as a myth or a theme for a scary movie, shape-

shifting and skin-walkers are real to the Navajo tribe (Kelleher 2014). Another term used when

tracing the evolution of the werewolf is totem. A totem is an animal or person who is believed to

have a spiritual power. The wolf is seen as a totem in Native American tribes. The wolf is

believed by Native Americans to be the spirit of protection (Moonlight 2009). Wolves, to these

native tribes, are seen as a way to find one’s inner self. The image of a wolf howling at the moon

represents this inner knowing. Along with being a totem tribes also believe that the wolf is their

ancestor. Wolves in this generation are misunderstood and how they are viewed has changed.

Media and stories misrepresent them. They portray them as horrible, dangerous creatures. The

wolf in the Native American culture represents night. Night is the time in which you are alone

and dream, and can really find yourself. Native tribes believe that the wolf teaches strength and

Commented [RW5]: Good detail on the Native tribes and their belief of shape-shifters. What made you pick these 2 tribes? Why don't other tribes fully believe in this concept?

Commented [RW6]: I like the way that you defined what a totem is, and explained in the way the native american tribes look at.

teaches you how to face your fears. Wolves need sincerity. Wolves are very intelligent, have

excellent hearing, and express themselves through body language. They aren’t the dangerous

creatures that the media tries to portray them as. A wolf’s medicine is death and rebirth. They

face death with dignity and courage (Woolcott 2014). For Native Americans, totems are an

identification. A tribe will contain qualities that correspond with the totem that they have. The

Shaman tribe use the wolf to travel the dead and living world. They believe that it helps them

heal the sick and gain spiritual information. Native Americans have great respect for wolves and

try to imitate their hunting skills. They use wolf packs to teach their children about sticking

together and mating. Some tribe s believe that the wolf is a spirit which has the power to help the

tribe as they deserve it. Wolf dances and ceremonies are performed to call the wolf spirit upon

the tribe (Neilson 2000). We must also know a little background about a specific tribe which

sparked my interest in this research as well and that is the Quileute tribe. The Quileute tribe lives

in Washington State on the reserve of La Push. There are only about 750 tribal members left

today. The Quileute tribe wasn’t well known until Stephanie Meyer’s, Twilight Series, brought

acknowledgement to them. However the Quileute tribe doesn’t hold the shape-shifting power

that the series assigns to them, their connection to wolves is similar. The tribe believes that the

wolves are their ancestors. According to their myths they came from wolves not transform from

them whenever they wish. Quileute legends have characters that a lot of other cultures have

(Quileute legends 2014). Although the Quileute tribe does not have shape-shifters they do

believe that they originated from wolves. According to their myth, Q’wati was walking through

Quileute land and saw that there were no people so he found two wolves and turn them into the

Quileute people (A-Cit 2010).

Entering the Conversation

Werewolves have played a role in entertainment since man has been entertaining. They’ve

played a part in legends, myths, folklore, plays, shows, movies, books, etc. I think that it is safe

to say that they have been covered in every area of entertainment, even down to Michael

Jackson’s famous music video, Thriller. Though society’s infatuation with werewolves has not

changed, the way that it views werewolves has. Cultures all over the world have their own view

point of what a werewolf is and how it interacts with others. Every culture as its own feelings

about how valuable and important werewolves are. Most cultures view the werewolf as a terribly

dangerous creature, which is the most common way that they are portrayed. However Native

Americans have their own viewpoint on wolves and werewolves dating back centuries. This

paper traces the evolution of werewolf mythology and their cultural significance within society.

More specifically we will explore how Native American lore influences our present notion of

werewolves.

This whole idea of man transforming into a beast has been featured in pieces from

Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling (Stypczynski). The archetype of shape-shifting has evolved into the

infamous werewolf over time. Werewolves have shown themselves to be the highlight of many

stories, legends, and myths all throughout history.

The wolf is as a totem in many Native American Cultures. Native American and Celtic

cultures see the wolf as a way to find the deepest level of one’s self (Wolf, Power Animal,

Symbol of Wildness, Social and Family Values). In today’s society, the image of a wolf howling

at the moon is interpreted as a man transforming into werewolf and becoming something to fear

but in the Native American and Celtic culture, this represents an inner knowing and

understanding of one’s self.

Commented [RW7]: The continued juxtaposition throughout the the paper is an ideally secure way to write. Easily showing the differences of time and societal changes of acceptance.

Native Americans hold a great respect for wolves. They try to learn and imitate the

hunting skills that wolves have and the use wolf packs to teach their children how to mate and be

one with others within the tribe, sticking together, and both the mother and father raising the

child (Werewolf Beliefs among Native Tribes of North America). The idea of the wolf mating

once for life is respected by Native Americans. These cultures actually see the wolf for what it is

rather than how it is portrayed in media. Wolves are intelligent, gentle animals that express

themselves through body language. They are strong and courageous. Wolves teach the Native

Americans to face their fears. In Ina Woolcott’s, Wolf, Power Animal, Symbol of Wildness,

Social and Family Values she talks about the wolf’s medicine which is death and rebirth. Wolves

face death with dignity and courage and teach the Native Americans to do the same (Wolf,

Power Animal, Symbol of Wildness, Social and Family Values). On top of seeing the wolf for

these physical, visible attributes, some Native Americans see it on a spiritual level. In Many

Native American cultures the wolf is seen as a spirit of protection. Other tribes believe that the

wolf is a spirit with powers that will assist them as they deserve it (Werewolf Beliefs among

Native Tribes of North America). For Native Americans, totems are an identification. Tribes

contain qualities that correspond with the totem that they have. The wolf is used by the Shamans

to travel the dead and living world. They believe that it helps them heal the sick and gain

spiritual information. Wolf dances and ceremonies are used to call upon the wolf spirit to bless

them when they go hunting (Werewolf Beliefs among Native Tribes of North America).

The Quileute tribe even goes as far as to believe that they originated from wolves. There

are only about 750 members left in the Quileute tribe (Quileute Legends). The tribe resides in

Washington on the reserve of La Push, which was featured in the Twilight series. Although in

Twilight the Quileute tribe is full of shape-shifters, the Quileute don’t believe that they are

shape-shifters, they believe that their ancestors were wolves. The Quileute believe that they

originated 10,000 years ago, back during a time when animals could talk (The Real Quileute

Tribe Legend). Legend has it that Q’wati was walking through Quileute land and saw that there

were no people. He found two wolves so he said that they would be the first people and

transformed them into humans (Quileute Legends, Myths, and Folklore). So, although they

believe that their ancestors transformed from wolves, they don’t believe that they can shape-shift

into them. Learning this, I felt that it was wrong for media to take cultures’ legends and change

them to fit the theme that they are trying to create. It may seem harmless but in reality it is

falsely publicizing someone’s history, misrepresenting what they believe, and drawing attention

to something that isn’t all together true. La Push has gained many more tourist since the Twilight

series. People are excited to come see Jacob and his shape-shifting tribe (Quileute Legends).

However when they get there that is not what they are going to find.

Although the Quileute don’t believe in shape-shifting other Native American tribes do. The most

common Native American tribe that believes in this transformation is the Navajo tribe (Native

American Werewolves | Werewolves). The Navajo believe in skin-walkers. Skin-walker is

another term for shape-shifter which is a man who transforms into an animal and takes on the

characteristics of that animal. The Navajo also use the Native American word yeenadlooshi

which means, “He walks on all fours”. Navajos believe that skin-walkers’ appearance is different

than non-walkers. They are believed to have glowing eyes, their tongues are black that represent

the poison in their souls, and their skin is so hard that it can’t be punctured by axe or arrows. The

Navajo believe that skin-walkers have the ability to read minds and mimic the cries of loved ones

so that they can lure them closer. The Hopi tribe also believes in shape-shifters. They believe that

shape-shifting can be brought on by shape-shifting ceremonies where the person wears the skins

of the animal they want to become (Native American Werewolves | Werewolves). The Navajo

and Hopi myths about skin-walkers are probably the closest thing to the werewolf stories in

society today. The only way to get rid of a skin-walker is to say their whole name behind their

back and then within three days they will die from the wrong that they committed (Werewolf

Beliefs among Native Tribes of North America).

Now skin-walkers are not necessarily a werewolf. In other Native American legends and

religions, skin-walkers are witches who can alter their shape into whatever animal they wish and

take on its characteristics. Almost all cultures have their own shape-shifting myth. Indians have

were-tigers, Egyptians have were-hyenas, and African have were-jackals and were-leopards.

However they all of these myths have the same root of a human able to transform into animals.

But of all the shape-shifting legends the most common and well known legend is the werewolf

(Skinwalkers - What Are They?)

So What?

The idea of wolves and werewolves have been at the front of people’s minds as something g to

fear (Where Have All The Werewolves Gone?). Wolves today are misunderstood and portrayed

as the opposite of what they truly are. They are presented in the media as dangerous, hateful

animals, but in reality they are friendly and loving. They have great qualities and characteristics.

Story tellers have just twisted the history of the wolf throughout myths to make for a juicy story

to intrigue the people of this generation who live for fear. So before you just believe whatever

you see in the media, do a little of your own research. You may be surprised and intrigued by

what you find.

Commented [RW8]: You talk about how wolves are wrongly portrayed. Put your opinion in here about why you think wolves aren't vicious like they are stereotyped.

Commented [RW9]: I like the way that you ended the paper. It left a little suspense and makes me want to do some research as well.