essay

'Old Man' and the father image in Blood (Blackfoot) society

psychoanalysis and culture, essays in honor of geza roheim • New York • Published In 1967 • Pages: 132-141

By: Goldfrank, Esther Schiff.

Abstract

Esther Goldfrank argues that the emergence of the 'Old Man' creator figure in Blackfoot mythology as a malevolent trickster represents the means by which unprivileged (non-minipoka) or neglected sons express their normally repressed feelings of aggression toward their fathers. Goldfrank offers a plausible explanation for what appears to be a contradiction in mythical themes by demonstrating how the dual nature of Old Man draws its significance from the actual experience of Blackfeet who resolve, in the realm of symbols, conflicts which cannot be so dealt with in real life.

HRAF PubDate

2019

Region

North America

Sub Region

Plains and Plateau

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

M. A. Marcus ; J. Beierle ; 1983

Field Date

1939

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Blood Reserve, southwestern Alberta, Canada

Notes

By Esther S. Goldfrank

Includes bibliographical references

LCSH

Kainah Indians