Old Turtle Character Analysis

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Old Turtle Essay The Earth is a perfect web of life that depends upon one another for survival. According to Native American religion, everything from the vast sky to the smallest insect is sacred and should be treated with gentle care and love. Understanding of how we are of the Earth, and not how the Earth is of us was one of the first steps to knowing God and all his forms. In the children's story "Old Turtle" the character Old Turtle utilizes the Native American religious theme of little separation between the physical and spiritual world to save the planet from destruction. Native American religion is often thought to be a savage religion, based on superstition. In reality, Native American religion answered questions that “advanced” religions, like Christianity, answer. However, the methods of warship were much different than popular religions. Symbolism and animals were a huge part of warship. “Spirit Animals” were selected for each individual to guide them throughout that person’s life. There is little evidence between the spiritual world and the supernatural world; both were just as accessible as the physical world that we live in. Therefore,…show more content…
Turtle reminds all the beings in the world that God on a level that is so deep that they cannot comprehend connects them. When humans come into existence and begin to cause destruction, the entire earth reasons with the people and shows them how God is everywhere and is everything. If it weren’t for Old Turtle who first reasoned with the earth before humans, the earth wouldn't have reasoned with the humans. This would have lead to the humans destroying the world. The only way to survive and achieve peace is to love and treat all with appreciation and respect. Turtle saved the planet and all those who live in
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