Stereotypical Indians

This scholarly yet provocative work critically examines the persistent and evolving stereotypes of Native Americans in popular literature, spanning from the 19th to the 21st centuries. The book meticulously traces the roots of these portrayals, exploring their proliferation and their lasting impact on public perception and policy.
Each chapter unveils a new layer of complexity, from the dime novels of the 1800s that painted Native Americans as savages, to children’s literature that enforced colonial narratives, and onto romance novels and popular histories that perpetuated myths and misconceptions. The authors dissect these narratives critically, revealing how they contribute to a distorted understanding of Native American heritage and culture. Through an in-depth analysis of various literary genres, including comics and graphic novels, the book challenges readers to confront and rethink the deeply ingrained stereotypes that have long shaped American consciousness.

Eric Hannel is a retired combat Marine and published author who teaches, writes, and speaks on Native American and Veterans issues. He lives in Dade City, Florida.
Karen Hannel is the founding chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and the creator of the first Bachelor of Arts degree in Veteran Studies at Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida. She lives in Dade City, Florida.

Eric Hannel and Karen Hannel
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 215
Bibliographic Info: 29 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8995-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5366-2
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments (Eric Hannel) ix
Preface 1
Introduction 13

Chapter 1. From Archetype to Stereotype: Depictions of Native Americans in 19th–and ­20th-Century Dime Novels 29
Chapter 2. Behind the Fairytale: Unraveling Toxic Themes in Children’s Stories 53
Chapter 3. Manufacturing the Savage Romantic: Portrayals of Native American Heroes in Romance Novels’ Prose 78
Chapter 4. When Fact Is Fiction: Popular Histories and Savagism 99
Chapter 5. Drawing the Line: Challenging Native Stereotypes in Comics and Graphic Novels 122

Conclusion 145
Chapter Notes 169
Works Consulted 195
Index 203