African Americans and an enduring tradition -- Coyotes and others striving for balance -- Trickster seeking his fortune -- Heirs of the monkey king -- Rough mischief, irreverence, and the fantastic.

The Trickster Figure in American Literature provides a new framework to look at the richness that is American literature and culture. Trickster stories allow readers to experience vicariously another culture's deepest discontent. They supply a laugh, but more importantly, their stories reflect contemporary dilemmas that are being played out in fiction. Using the trickster figure as an entry-point into African American, American Indian, Euro-American, Asian American, and Latino/stories, Winifred Morgan examines the oral roots of each racial/ethnic group to reveal how each group's history, frustrations, and aspirations have molded the tradition. Ultimately, this compelling study shows that tricksters remind listeners and readers that the ideals espoused by the law and traditions have not been achieved in a country like the United States of America.