Lewis Henry Morgan and the Gordian Knot

Lewis Henry Morgan and the Gordian Knot
The literary fraternity under the leadership of Lewis Henry Morgan called themselves the Gordian Knot after the story of Gordius. Only the worthy "master"can untie the knot Gordian made. These group of men sought to be the masters who will revive literature in America and answer the question: What is being an American all about? Their purpose was to write "a native, American epic" that tells who they are as Americans, without referring back to their European roots. Unlike other fraternal societies before them, however, they set themselves apart by looking up to classical tradition (Greeks and Romans) as well as America's past as the basis for their writing. The golden age of the Greeks and Romans became inspirations for the Renaissance of literature in Europe, and Morgan similarly seeks to be inspired by the past as he retells the evolution of the American. Morgan and his fraternal society romanticizes the Indian not only as the symbol of the past, but also as the symbol of "natural" world (an aspect he wishes to include). The Indians symbolized the "noble savagery of America" --- they were part of the land. Morgan was inspired by the thought that these "ancient and departed" societies lived, interacted, and changed the land where he now resides. Living in the same place as these Indians used to live, Morgan feels he can identify with these Indians "of the past" They are the key to understanding America's past, and the Indian legacy becomes an inspiration for Morgan and the Gordian Knot in writing literature.

Lewis Henry Morgan and the Gordian Knot

The literary fraternity under the leadership of Lewis Henry Morgan called themselves the Gordian Knot after the story of Gordius. Only the worthy "master"can untie the knot Gordian made. These group of men sought to be the masters who will revive literature in America and answer the question: What is being an American all about? Their purpose was to write "a native, American epic" that tells who they are as Americans, without referring back to their European roots. Unlike other fraternal societies before them, however, they set themselves apart by looking up to classical tradition (Greeks and Romans) as well as America's past as the basis for their writing. The golden age of the Greeks and Romans became inspirations for the Renaissance of literature in Europe, and Morgan similarly seeks to be inspired by the past as he retells the evolution of the American. Morgan and his fraternal society romanticizes the Indian not only as the symbol of the past, but also as the symbol of "natural" world (an aspect he wishes to include). The Indians symbolized the "noble savagery of America" --- they were part of the land. Morgan was inspired by the thought that these "ancient and departed" societies lived, interacted, and changed the land where he now resides. Living in the same place as these Indians used to live, Morgan feels he can identify with these Indians "of the past" They are the key to understanding America's past, and the Indian legacy becomes an inspiration for Morgan and the Gordian Knot in writing literature.

Assuming Indian Identities-- The Cayugas
Morgan and the Gordian Knot begins assuming Indian identities, and becomes an Indian society called the Cayugas. They turn their attention specifically to the "Six Nations of the Iroquois" who lived in the same part of the country as they did. Seeking literary inspiration, the group began to meet "at monthly campfires deep in the New York woods" and wear Indian costumes. They also spoke in Indian tradition --"nostalgic, metaphor-drenched poetry and prose" as if it would allow them to know more how it is like to be an Indian. Playing Indian became their way of being better acquainted with the main characters in their writing.

Assuming Indian Identities-- The Cayugas

Morgan and the Gordian Knot begins assuming Indian identities, and becomes an Indian society called the Cayugas. They turn their attention specifically to the "Six Nations of the Iroquois" who lived in the same part of the country as they did. Seeking literary inspiration, the group began to meet "at monthly campfires deep in the New York woods" and wear Indian costumes. They also spoke in Indian tradition --"nostalgic, metaphor-drenched poetry and prose" as if it would allow them to know more how it is like to be an Indian. Playing Indian became their way of being better acquainted with the main characters in their writing.

The "Iroquoian" Myths
In order to provide some organization to his 'epic,' Morgan created a story that brought together Iroquois history with the myth of behing their name (Gordius' knot). In this Iroquoian myth, the six tribes of the Iroquois nation were the six strands which formed the original Gordian knot now the Grand Knot of the Iroqouis.This new 'hybridization' paved the way for a real national epic to form. He organized this new information into three epochs beginning with the story of how Gordius' people came to the Americas, then the history of the Iroquoian confederacy and finally ending with Morgan's literary society that will be writing about this history and living out their "mythic connections to Gordius and the Six Nations" --- their progenitors. As a result, internalizing Indian customs and rituals becomes necessary in their literary pursuits.

The "Iroquoian" Myths

In order to provide some organization to his 'epic,' Morgan created a story that brought together Iroquois history with the myth of behing their name (Gordius' knot). In this Iroquoian myth, the six tribes of the Iroquois nation were the six strands which formed the original Gordian knot now the Grand Knot of the Iroqouis.This new 'hybridization' paved the way for a real national epic to form. He organized this new information into three epochs beginning with the story of how Gordius' people came to the Americas, then the history of the Iroquoian confederacy and finally ending with Morgan's literary society that will be writing about this history and living out their "mythic connections to Gordius and the Six Nations" --- their progenitors. As a result, internalizing Indian customs and rituals becomes necessary in their literary pursuits.

Inindianation
Inindianation, which is a primary example of transforming their identities, takes places as follows: 1. Calling of Indian fathers 2. Blaming of white strangers 3. Critique of Indian policy 4. Cleansing 5. Rebirth This ceremony proves to be problematic in that it suggests both notions that Indians suffered injustice but that such suffering was inevitable. Also, Morgan and his peers almost become hypocritical in wanting to be a part of a history and culture they have only dared to imagine. The information they need to know the history of the Indians could have been easily found by interviewing surviving Iroquois, "second-epoch Indians" as the fraternity calls them. The group argued, however, that their inspiration for literature could be found in Indianness, or playing Indian. So by claiming to be the 'descendants' of the Iroquois and acting out their roles to simulate real-life, the Confederacy (new name of the fraternity) anticipated emotional connections to the Indians who would aid in their search for an American identity

Inindianation

Inindianation, which is a primary example of transforming their identities, takes places as follows:

1. Calling of Indian fathers

2. Blaming of white strangers

3. Critique of Indian policy

4. Cleansing

5. Rebirth

This ceremony proves to be problematic in that it suggests both notions that Indians suffered injustice but that such suffering was inevitable. Also, Morgan and his peers almost become hypocritical in wanting to be a part of a history and culture they have only dared to imagine. The information they need to know the history of the Indians could have been easily found by interviewing surviving Iroquois, "second-epoch Indians" as the fraternity calls them. The group argued, however, that their inspiration for literature could be found in Indianness, or playing Indian. So by claiming to be the 'descendants' of the Iroquois and acting out their roles to simulate real-life, the Confederacy (new name of the fraternity) anticipated emotional connections to the Indians who would aid in their search for an American identity