House Made of Dawn

N. Scott Momaday

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Study Questions and Essay Topics

Study Questions

Discuss Abel as seen through the eyes of Ben Benally in the novel's third section, "The Night Chanter."


In what sense is House Made of Dawn an autobiographical novel? What roles do Kiowa legends and stories play in the creation of autobiography?


What beliefs formulate Francisco's and Abel's worldview and in what ways do their two worldviews differ?


Suggested Essay Topics

The narrative of House Made of Dawn is a juxtaposition of flashbacks and temporal shifts rather than a linear, chronological progression. What effect does this have on the reader?

Both Milly and Angela St. John have similar roles in the narrative of the novel. What do these roles say about Abel's notions of gender, cultural differences, and class?

Using Abel's experiences with Native American relocation camps in Los Angeles, analyze the differences between industrial America and the reservations.

Many scenes in the novel describe the act of hunting, such as Francisco's bear hunt and Abel's eagle hunt. What do these scenes say about the characters' relationship to nature?

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