45 Joy Harjo
In This Chapter
Author Background
Joy Harjo (1951- ), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a critically acclaimed poet and musician, drawing on American Indian history and storytelling tradition. She is a member of the Mvskoke (aka. Muscogee, or Creek) nation; her father was a member of the Mvskoke tribe, and her mother was Cherokee, French, and Irish.
Writing influences
In her work, she incorporates the history, myths, and beliefs of Native America (Creek in particular) as well as ideas that concern feminism, imperialism and colonization, contemporary America, and the contemporary world. Related to Native American storytelling is a sense of all things being connected, which often shapes her work.
Inspired by the evolving nature of oral storytelling and ceremonial tradition, she integrates various forms of music, performance, and dance into her poetry, and has released award-winning CDs of original music.
Publications
Her first volume of poetry was The Last Song (1975), and her other books of poetry include How We Became Human—New and Selected Poems (2004), The Woman Who Fell From the Sky (1994), and She Had Some Horses (1983). Her CD releases include Red Dreams, A Trail Beyond Tears (2010) and Winding Through the Milky Way (2008).
Answer the following true or false questions to test your knowledge of Joy Harjo’s life and career.
In this interview, Joy Harjo explains what poetry means to her and how she feels about being the first Native American Poet Laureate.
Follow the links below to view two poems by Joy Harjo:
“An American Sunrise”
In this poignant poem, Harjo explores themes of identity, history, and resilience.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/92063/an-american-sunrise
- Who is the speaker in the poem, and how does their perspective shape our understanding of the poem’s message and themes?
- Analyze the use of imagery and symbolism in the poem. Are there specific images or symbols that represent the resilience and endurance of the Native American community?
- Discuss how the poem highlights the resilience and survival of Native American communities despite the challenges and injustices they have faced. What specific lines or images convey this resilience?
- Describe the tone and mood of the poem. How do they evolve throughout the poem, and how do they reflect the speaker’s emotions and experiences?
- The poem mentions “stories underneath the story.” What do you think this phrase signifies, and how does it relate to the passing down of cultural knowledge and wisdom?
“A Poem to Get Rid of Fear”
“A Poem to Get Rid of Fear” by Joy Harjo is a powerful poem that addresses the theme of fear and its impact on our lives.
https://www.joyharjo.com/videos/a-poem-to-get-rid-of-fear/
- What does the title “A Poem to Get Rid of Fear” imply about the poem’s subject matter and purpose? How does it set the tone for the poem?
- Who is the speaker in the poem, and what emotions or experiences can you attribute to them? How does the speaker’s perspective shape our understanding of the poem?
- Explore the poem’s depiction of fear. How does it describe fear, and what consequences does it suggest fear can have on individuals?
- Analyze the use of metaphorical language in the poem. Are there specific metaphors or comparisons that highlight the speaker’s struggle with fear?
- In watching Harjo reciting/performing “A Poem to Get Rid of Fear,” how does her performance accentuate the meaning of the poem?
The following writing and discussion questions should help you analyze and appreciate Joy Harjo’s poetry more deeply, encouraging thoughtful conversations about identity, history, and resilience in the context of Native American experiences.
- How do these poems address the theme of identity, especially as it relates to the history and cultural heritage of Native Americans? What aspects of identity do the poems explore?
- Consider the historical context in which Joy Harjo wrote these poems. How do they relate to the history and experiences of Native Americans, particularly in the United States?
- Discuss the universal themes addressed in these poems. How might the experiences and emotions expressed by the speaker resonate with people from various backgrounds and cultures?
- Consider the role of poetry as a medium for expressing cultural identity and preserving history. How do these poems demonstrate the power of poetry to convey important messages and stories?
Sources
Harjo, Joy. “An American Sunrise.” Poetry, February 2017, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/92063/an-american-sunrise
“Interview with Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.” YouTube, uploaded by Humanoid History, 12 Oct. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNz0c62SsgE
“Joy Harjo A Poem to Get Rid of Fear.” YouTube, uploaded by urbanrenewalprogram, 30 Aug. 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAYCf2Gdycc&t=1s
“Joy Harjo.” Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/joy-harjo.
“Joy Harjo.” https://www.joyharjo.com/, 2023.
Turlington, Anita et al. Compact Anthology of World Literature II. University of North Georgia Press, 2022, https://alg.manifoldapp.org/projects/compact-anthology-of-world-literature-ii, CCA-SA 4.0
A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
Imagery is visual symbolism, or figurative language that evokes a mental image or other kinds of sense impressions.
Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas, or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon is a common symbol for "STOP"; on maps, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion.
Tone is the attitude that a character or narrator or author takes towards a given subject.
In literature, mood is the atmosphere of the narrative. Mood is created by means of setting, attitude, and descriptions.
A theme is a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas. Metaphors are usually meant to create a likeness or an analogy.
