Understanding the genre of a work is crucial for interpreting it. If Black Elk speaks is an apocalyptic prophecy, then we need not worry if the accounts of battles are consistent. If it is a history of a nation, then we needn't bother to interpret the dream sequence.
Much like the Bible, Black Elk Speaks is composed of many different genres, and assigning one label is a doomed endeavor. Some sections are history, some prophecy, some biography. Readers must remain aware of this, and interpret different sections according to different standards.
Erik,
ReplyDeleteWell said. While the genre may vary by section, I also suspect that it varies by audience; or better, different audiences will make one or another aspect of the work primary.
LDL