N. Scott Momaday -- 1934- -- Criticism and interpretation, N. Scott Momaday -- 1934, American authors -- 20th century -- Biography, Indigenous authors -- 20th century -- Biography, Indigenous authors -- Biography, Indigenous authors, American authors, Kiowa in literature, Kiowa 

"Because of his Kiowa heritage, the American Indian elements in N. Scott Momaday's work have drawn most of the attention of literary critics. But, says Matthias Schubnell, this narrow perspective fails to reveal the complex literary and cultural influences that have shaped the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel House Made of Dawn.

In this thoroughly researched study, which draws upon interviews, letters, and unpublished manuscripts, Schubnell traces the historical, cultural, familial, literary, and anthropological backgrounds of the entire Momaday canon, from the early poetry to the autobiographical work The Names: A Memoir and the part-fictional, part-documentary exploration of his racial heritage in The Way to Rainy Mountain.

Schubnell outlines Momaday's concept of self-realization through language in the context not only of Indian oral tradition but also of James Joyce, Marcel Proust, and Isak Dinesen, and he sees Momaday's attitude toward the American earth as not just peculiarly native but also part of an Anglo-American tradition of nature writing, specifically that of Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. One of the most powerful influences, especially on Momaday's poetry, Schubnell shows, was his mentor Yvor Winters. Other figures important to Momaday's development include Emily Dickinson, Momaday's grandfather Mammedaty, and even the legendary Billy the Kid.

Schubnell also offers probing and insightful readings of Momaday's major works, illuminating their significance through little-known biographical details and an understanding of Momaday's cultural heritage. Nor does he neglect the less-well-known poetry and journalistic writings, or Momaday's more recent interest in painting and drawing. The result is a comprehensive and balanced approach to Momaday's art."--Book jacket. 

viii, 336 pages, 1 unnumbered leaf of plates : portrait ; 22 cm. 

Includes index.