Well, the significance can be multi - faceted. Iktomi, being a trickster, is often involved in various adventures and misadventures. When paired with the Buzzard in the Plains Indian story, it could be about how different forces in nature and the spirit world interact. The Buzzard, which is associated with death and decay in many cultures, might be a counterpoint to Iktomi's more mischievous nature, showing the balance in the world. Maybe it's also about how the Plains Indians perceived the relationship between different beings in their cosmology.
Iktomi in this story is a trickster. He is known for his cleverness and his ability to get into and out of tricky situations, often through his wits and sometimes through deceit.
The key elements often include the role of the Great Spirit. For example, in many stories, the Great Spirit is seen as the creator of the world, all living beings, and the elements. Another important element is the connection to nature. Plains Indians believed that they were an integral part of nature, and this is reflected in their creation stories where natural elements like the sun, moon, and earth play significant roles.
The moral could be about the harshness of nature or the cycle of life and death. Maybe it shows that in the face of death, there are still forces at work, like the buzzard which is associated with death in some cultures. It might also imply that death is a natural part of existence and that other elements in nature are just doing what is natural to them.
The main characters are obviously the dying girl and the buzzard. The girl is in a vulnerable state of dying, and the buzzard is there, which might be seen as a symbol related to her impending death.
The social structure and values of the Plains Indians are reflected differently in their creation stories compared to others. The Plains Indians had a nomadic lifestyle in many cases, and this is shown in their stories. For instance, their creation stories might talk about how the people were given the ability to move across the plains and follow the buffalo herds. In contrast, tribes with a more settled agricultural lifestyle would have creation stories that emphasize farming and the relationship with the land in a different way.
The story of High Plains Drifter is a complex tale of mystery and revenge. A mysterious stranger arrives in a small town and brings chaos and justice in his wake.