LITERARY ASPECTS OF NORTH AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY. 
7 
to claim for any one of these three identities a special importance 
in the development of the myth complex ? Can any of them be 
used as criteria for determining which one of a number of versions 
of a myth is primary ? These questions must be answered ten- 
tatively, at least. 
To me the reasons for the differences in the various versions 
of the same myth are due mainly to certain literary tendencies 
at work. To demonstrate this contention I shall discuss at some 
length the nature of the plot and its elaboration, the episodes, 
and the motifs, of a number of North American myths. 
THE PLOT. 
Only a detailed study of every mythological area in America 
will enable us to decide whether there exist characteristic plots 
for every definite area. Whether this can be demonstrated or 
not, there can be no doubt that certain plots are found distributed 
over enormous areas. Where these plots are of a very general 
nature and refer to possible happenings within almost any tribe 
in North America, there is no need of predicating either a com- 
mon origin or diffusion. Where, however, we find specific types 
of plot, such as, for instance, Blood-clot and Thrown-away or the 
Twins; Turtle’s war party; Wi'sa'ka * 1 and his brother; Tar- 
baby; etc., they must be regarded as either having sprung from 
some older myth which was shared in common by all the tribes or 
as having been diffused from some centre. 
We shall give a brief summary of the contents of the myths 
mentioned : 
(A) Blood-Clot and Thrown-Away, or the Twins. A 
woman is killed and twins are taken from her womb. One is 
hidden but is found upon the return of the father; the other dis- 
appears entirely. He reappears afterward as a playmate of his 
brother and is finally captured by a stratagem. Then, in 
disobedience to their father’s wish, they go out to seek ad- 
ventures. 
(B) Turtle's War Party. Turtle decides to go on the war- 
path and wishes to obtain companions. Various animals ask 
1 The culture hero of the Fox Indiana. 
