N. Scott Momaday Quotes

Powerful N. Scott Momaday for Daily Growth

About N. Scott Momaday

N. Scott Momaday (born October 27, 1934) is an acclaimed Native American writer, essayist, and professor, best known for his novel "House Made of Dawn," which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1969. Born as Samuel Hamilton Momaday to a Kiowa family in Lawton, Oklahoma, he was raised by his grandmother Amey-toyee after his mother died when he was two years old. Growing up on the Kiowa reservation, Momaday absorbed the rich oral traditions and cultural heritage of his people, influences that would later shape his literary works. In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany during the Korean War. Upon his return, he attended the University of Arkansas on the GI Bill, where he met renowned writer and mentor Donald Hall. Momaday earned a Ph.D. in English from Stanford University in 1965. Momaday's writing draws heavily from Kiowa mythology and the experiences of Native Americans. His major works include "The Way to Rainy Mountain" (1969), a non-fiction account of his family history, and "House Made of Dawn," which tells the story of a young Kiowa man named Abel who returns from World War II and struggles with modernity while grappling with traditional Kiowa values. Throughout his career, Momaday has been a strong advocate for Native American rights and culture. He has taught at various universities, including Stanford University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In 2007, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush. N. Scott Momaday's work continues to be celebrated for its unique blend of Native American mythology, personal narrative, and universal themes, making him a significant figure in American literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is no memory without the landscape that nurtured it."

This quote emphasizes the profound connection between memory and the physical environment in which it is formed. Memory, according to Momaday, isn't just a collection of abstract thoughts or images; it's deeply rooted in the tangible, sensory experiences provided by landscapes - the sights, sounds, smells, and textures that leave an indelible imprint on our minds. This connection is so strong that he suggests there can be no memory without this nurturing landscape. In essence, Momaday underscores the importance of place in shaping our personal narratives and understanding of ourselves.

"The secret of life is in the present moment."

This quote emphasizes the importance of living fully in the present moment, as it's within this instant that life unfolds and experiences are had. The present moment carries the essence of life, holding both opportunities and challenges, making it a vital aspect for personal growth and happiness. By appreciating and engaging with the now, we allow ourselves to truly live and connect with the world around us, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

"Time is a stream upon which we are borne."

The quote "Time is a stream upon which we are borne" by N. Scott Momaday suggests that time flows continuously and we, as individuals, are carried along this current of time. It implies an acceptance of the natural, inevitable passage of time and our role as passengers in its journey rather than controllers. This perspective underscores our interconnectedness with the past, present, and future, emphasizing that our lives unfold within the broader context of time's relentless progression.

"In the beginning our grandfathers taught us that storytelling is a sacred act."

This quote emphasizes the spiritual significance and reverence attached to storytelling among Native American communities, as represented by their ancestors (grandfathers). The act of telling stories in this context is not merely an entertaining pastime but carries deep cultural importance, often steeped in tradition and wisdom. It underscores the idea that oral histories serve as a connection between generations, preserving values, beliefs, and experiences for future tribes.

"All stories are more or less true, but the truly important ones are truest of all."

This quote by N. Scott Momaday suggests that personal narratives, while often embellished for dramatic effect or to fit a specific narrative structure, carry a profound truth about human experiences and emotions. The most impactful stories resonate with universal themes and tap into the collective human consciousness. These stories, being deeply rooted in reality, hold an exceptional level of veracity, making them truer than simple facts or objective data.

Indians are marvelous storytellers. In some ways, that oral tradition is stronger than the written tradition.

- N. Scott Momaday

Stronger, Some, Ways, Marvelous

My father was a painter and he taught art. He once said to me, 'I never knew an Indian child who could not draw.'

- N. Scott Momaday

Father, Art, Could, Indian

The spiritual reality of the Indian world is very evident, very highly developed. I think it affects the life of every Indian person in one way or another.

- N. Scott Momaday

Think, I Think, Very, Indian

I have a pretty good knowledge of the Indian world by virtue of living on several different reservations and being exposed to several different cultures and languages.

- N. Scott Momaday

Living, Pretty, Languages, Indian

Sometimes, I think the best kind of poem is one in which there is an acute balance between what is humorous and that which is very serious. That balance is very hard to strike. But it can be done.

- N. Scott Momaday

Think, Which, Acute, Humorous

I am interested in the way that we look at a given landscape and take possession of it in our blood and brain. None of us lives apart from the land entirely; such an isolation is unimaginable.

- N. Scott Momaday

Possession, Given, Lives, Unimaginable

As far as I am concerned, poetry is a statement concerning the human condition, composed in verse.

- N. Scott Momaday

Human Condition, Concerned, Verse

I am a member of the Kiowa Gourd Dance Society; I visit sacred places such as Devil's Tower and the Medicine Wheel. These places are important to me, because they've been made sacred by sacrifice, by the investment of blood and experience and story.

- N. Scott Momaday

Experience, Devil, Been, Visit

I have deep roots in this Oklahoma soil. It makes me proud.

- N. Scott Momaday

Deep, Proud, Makes, Oklahoma

Writing is not a matter of choice. Writers have to write. It is somehow in their temperament, in the blood, in tradition.

- N. Scott Momaday

Writing, Temperament, Tradition

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