Coyote Steals Fire Vs Master Cat

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More Human Than Human

Trickery is used to impart wisdom and help understand human nature in a way incapable of being realistic. Through these tales, the protagonists are often portrayed as animals, face an obstacle, and bring a change to their society. While the trickster tales, “How Stories Came to Earth” by Kaleki, “Coyote Steals Fire” by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz, and “Master Cat: Puss in Boots” by Charles Perrault all present anthropomorphism and have an opposing force, Coyote and Anansi use trickery to bring a selfless change while Master Cat uses trickery for his and his master's own personal gain.
“How Stories Came to Earth” is the first story to demonstrate anthropomorphism, as Anansi is given human characteristics. Anansi shows anthropomorphism in the way he interacts with his wife and in his ability to trick the snake, leopard, wasps, and fairies. After speaking to the sky-god he comes home and talks to his wife as any person would. Once she gives him the plan to fool the snake he says, ‘I …show more content…
Coyote has to face Thunder, the most feared being, to receive the white rock that holds fire. He decides that the best way to defeat him and bring fire to all is by tricking him in a game. He goes to Thunder and begs, ‘Uncle, let's play a game of dice. If you win, you can kill me. If i win, you have to give me fire’ (Erdoes and Ortiz). Coyote must win the game to bring fire, so he gives Thunder an ultimatum for him to comply. Coyote does win the game but Thunder knows that he cheated and tells him that he has to be killed. In attempt to kill him it is states that, “Thunder picked up the huge rock containing fire and hurled it at what he thought was Coyote. But he hit only the skin and fur” (Erdoes and Ortiz 45). For Coyote to get the fire and even save his life, he has face another obstacle and remove his fur to trick Thunder. Coyote is the next protagonist that faces an opposing
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Coyote Steals Fire Vs Master Cat

Imagine a coyote that was clever enough to outsmart the Thunder-god, and provide fire to all of the villages. That is what happened in the trickster tale entitled “Coyote Steals Fire.” “Coyote Steals Fire” was mostly about a coyote that cheated at a game of dice to gain fire from the Thunder-god. The trickster tales “Coyote Steals Fire”, and “Master Cat” have similarities and differences. The tales “Coyote Steals Fire”, and “Master Cat” both have many similarities and differences. Not only were…

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