Download - Assignment 2 Commented Draft
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.