Week 7 Story: Brother Rabbit

A Walt Disney Productions depiction of Brer Rabbit from their adapted cartoon series. 

One day at the estate of Mr. Brother Fox, a mischievous and malicious thought entered the catacombs of his mind. Though he was indeed a man of literature and finer things, Mr. Brother Fox was still a fox, an animal with animal needs. After pondering about how to execute his plan to ensnare Mr. Brother Rabbit, he began preparing. The plan was simple: create a life-like child made of tar and turpentine that resembled a very small child. Mr. Brother Fox began sculpting the child out of tar and turpentine, then dyed the skin and painted a greatly detailed face, which was easy for him with his arts background from his study abroad year at the Paris Conservatory. After completing his masterpiece, he laid it out near where Mr. Brother Rabbit would be often approaching. Mr. Brother Rabbit, a proud Yale graduate, came around the corner and quickly noticed the baby leaning against a rock. He called out many a time to greet the child and attempt to locate the parents, but he was finding the child's lack of initiative quite disturbing. After his frustrations grew greater, Mr. Brother Fox delivered the coup de grace. He roared in a child's voice "Yale is a second rate institution and Harvard is clearly superior in all facets." Mr. Brother Rabbit, unable to control his animalistic instincts, punched the baby and quickly became stuck. After struggling and getting more stuck, Mr. Brother Rabbit gave in and Mr. Brother Fox appeared. Trying to think on his feet and escape, Mr. Brother Rabbit began pleading not be thrown into the briar patch, as it would be the worst fate of them all. Mr. Brother Fox, possessing a minor in Biology, retorted that rabbits are actually very comfortable and at home in those particular areas of nature, and was mostly just confused by his pleadings. After allowing Mr. Brother Rabbit to get his affairs in order and visit with a lawyer to set up his estate and inheritance, Mr. Brother Fox hosted a grand party, with the main course being a delectable entree of rabbit. 

Author's Note: I began thinking about the nature of the story and how dialectical language predominates to engage readers that were mostly illiterate, and I thought it would be funny and interesting to experiment with characters that were well-read, literate, intelligent, and critical thinkers. From there, I just put a twist ending on the classic Tar Baby tale. 

Bibliography: Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-brer-rabbit.html

Reading Notes: Africa, Brer Rabbit, Part B

A depiction of Brer Rabbit in Uncle Remus Songs and Sayings 

The Brer Rabbit stories, originating from the collection of stories known as Uncle Remus Songs and Sayings in the late 19th century in the post-Civil War South in the United States, serve as an important development and resource in the African-American folklore in the United States post-slavery, as these people were separated from their ancestral cultures, values, and stories by the slave trade. Additionally, these stories, written by Harris, are written in dialect, which means every word is spelled phonetically. This is important because not many African-Americans, let alone people in general, were literate in this period, which allowed these stories to be accessible to the public. In Reading B, there are stories of Brer Fox trying to trick Brer Rabbit, a slight detour from the tricky rabbit trope he has used for so long, Old Man Terrypin fishing, Tarrypin talk, which is how the turtle character speaks in the context of the story. In one thrilling story, Brer Rabbit sneaks into Brer Fox's garden in hopes of stealing his goober peas, also known as peanuts at this time. Unfortunately, Brer Rabbit is caught in a trap and help upside in the air by a rope. He shutters at what Brer Fox will do to him, but quickly notices Brer Bear approaching, who is notoriously slow. Brer Rabbit convinces Brer Bear that he is there for a job as a scarecrow and that he makes a dollar an hour being in the trap, but he'll swap with Brer Bear if he wants to make some money. Brer Bear agrees and takes his place, while Brer Rabbit steals the peanuts and heads home. 

Bibliography: Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-brer-rabbit.html

Reading Notes: Africa, Brer Rabbit, Part A

A depiction of Brer Rabbit and the Tar-Baby from the famous folklore of the American South

The stories of Brer Rabbit and many other "Brer" animals originates from the stories of Uncle Remus written in the times of the American South in the 19th century. These tales are so ingrained into the fabric of American storytelling that they even serve as inspiration for the theming of the water rollercoaster at Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain ride. These stories often involve Brer Fox, a cunning character that is always trying to eat Brer Rabbit and trying to trick him. In one instance, Brer Fox makes a "tar baby" made of sticky turpentine and tar and dresses it in clothes and sets him out. Brer Rabbit, an amiable fellow tries to talk the baby and is angered and shocked by the lack of manners of the baby and punches him, only to be stuck. After more kicking and punching, Brer Rabbit only gets more stuck, and Brer Fox ponders how to dispose of him. After feigning pleading to not be put into the briar patch above all else, even getting skinned, roasted, and murdered, Brer Fox chucks him into the briar patch, where rabbits are at home, and Brer Rabbit escapes the tar baby. This is generally the most famous of the Uncle Remus stories. This similar premise of getting caught and pleading to not be punished in a certain way that is actually beneficial is repeated in the story with Brer Fox and Old Man Terrypin, a turtle character similar to a terrapin in name. After getting caught by Brer Fox, Old Man Terrypin convinces Brer Fox that being thrown into the water would be unbearable, but it actually would be the most helpful. This idea of a trickster and antagonist has influenced many cartoons, including Disney's own cartoon of Brer stories, as well as influences in Tom and Jerry. 

Bibliography: Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/05/myth-folklore-unit-brer-rabbit.html

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part B

A depiction of the Egyptian god of the sun, Ra.

This segment of Egyptian mythology is one that I am actually familiar with and have spent some time reading before this class. Reading B covers the Tale of the Two Brothers, a classic. Anpu, who is the god Anubis, and his brother Bata live together, along with Anpu' wife. One day, the wife of Anpu attempts to seduce Bata, who remains strongly rejects her advances and is disgusted with her conduct. The wife then proceeds to tell Anpu that Bata tried to rape her and beat her up, which makes Anpu furious. Anpu tries to murder Bata, but he escapes before Anpu can finish the deed. Bata prays to Re-Harakhti, who puts a crocodile infested lake between them so that Anpu can calm down and hear Bata's side of the story. Bata explains his version of the events, and even cuts off his genitals and throws them into the lake, where a catfish swallows and consumes them. After seeing this, Anpu returns home and kills his wife. Bata heads to the Valley of the Cedars and hides his heart for Anpu to find to bring him back to life. After three years of searching, Anpu finds his heart and resurrects him in the form of a bull. After the bull is killed for food by another wife, she is impregnated by Bata as he takes the form of a tree. The child grows up to become the crown prince and ives with his brother in harmony. Another story recalls Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing, and the son of Pharaoh Ramses, whose name is Setna. Setna steals it from a tomb and a god who is upset with creates an illusion of a woman that convinces him to humiliate himself and murder his children. To appease the god, he finds the body of his wife and kids and lays them to rest, allowing them peace, and causing the events to end. This reflects the idea that knowledge, especially from the gods, is not meant for the people. 

Bibliography: Mackenzie's Egyptian Myth and Legend. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-ancient-egyptian.html

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part A

A depiction of ancient Egyptian paintings and hieroglyphs from mythos.

The mythology of ancient Egypt is one of the most iconic and influential groups of stories in the history of the world. Its effects on popular culture in America, among many other countries in the world, are very pronounced and noticeable even to this day. The story of creation, which involves Ra, the god of brightness, speaking the world into existence is reminiscent of other creation stories from various religions and mythos. Another story concerns Isis, the enchantress goddess, seeking the secret name of Ra, which gives him his power and is from his father Nu himself. Another involves the goddess of all, taking the form of the holy cow often, named Hathor and her issues with Ra ruling over men for so long. There is another story involving Anubis and how the day came to be, coming in 12 hour periods and ruling over the earth at various periods of time. Another great story involves Osiris, the god of the Underworld and Death, who is similar to Hades in Greek mythology, ushering in a new age from the Ra himself. 

Bibliography: Mackenzie's Egyptian Myth and Legend. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/06/myth-folklore-unit-ancient-egyptian.html

Week 5 Story: Aladdin and the Magician

An illustration of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from an Arabian Nights book

Now it had been many a day since Aladdin and the sultan's daughter had returned from Africa, having defeated the evil magician by tricking him into drinking a poisoned glass of wine, and the happy couple had ruled over their kingdom and lived very well in their palace. However, unbeknownst to Aladdin and the sultan's daughter, the evil magician had a brother who was supposedly even more wicked than the brother Aladdin had dealt with so long ago. This man was cunning, decisive, and cruel to the extreme. Knowing the secrets of the jinn from having practiced magic for so long, he knew the very thing that would be able to destroy Aladdin and his kingdom for having killed his brother. So, he dressed a divine, holy woman and entered the kingdom, arriving at the gates of the palace to meet with Aladdin in order to bestow a blessing from the Gods themselves. After being granted their audience with Aladdin and the sultan's daughter, the brother in disguise convinces the sultan's daughter to request a hanging roc's egg in the palace for protection and prosperity, and Aladdin, not wanting his darling love to be left unfulfilled, asks the jinn to grant his wish. At this request, the jinn begins yelling and cursing at Aladdin for such a dangerous and evil wish, as the roc is the jinn's master. Unable to listen to reason because of his immense anger, the jinn unleashes his full potential of magic into the kingdom, wiping its very existence out of the scope of this world and history, leaving only a well-polished oil lamp in the sands of the now barren desert.

Author's Note: I began with the part of Reading B of Arabian Nights where Aladdin and the sultan's daughter are together and living in prosperity, and the magician's brother returns Asia to destroy Aladdin with his wish. I changed some of the details so that the jinn's rage is too great and he is unable to see the deception from the magician's brother.

Bibliography: Scheherazade, Arabian Nights. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/04/myth-folklore-unit-arabian-nights.html

Reading Notes: Arabian Nights, Part B

An illustration from the classic story of Aladdin from the Arabian Nights anthology

This specific story in the Arabian Nights reading is the basis for the Walt Disney adaptation of Aladdin, a classic and defining movie of my own childhood. Though not entirely based on the original story, it is very interesting to see the inspirations from the story itself. This story begins by introducing Aladdin, a lazy boy that lives with his mother in poverty. One day, a man appears claiming to be Aladdin's uncle and able to make him rich. His mother releases him to the man. Afterwards, the man, a magician, uses Aladdin to fetch an oil lamp in a cave, giving him a magic ring to protect him. After locating it, he refuses to hand the magician the lamp before he allows him to exit the cave, fearing that he will trap him in the cave. In a fit of rage, the magician seals Aladdin in the cave. After two full days, Aladdin accidentally rubs the ring and a jinn (genie) appears. Aladdin asks to be sent home, and the jinn complies with his wish. After cleaning the lamp, intending to sell it, an even more powerful jinn appears and grants their wish for food, at the hesitation of Aladdin's mother. After seeing the sultan's beautiful daughter, Aladdin uses the lamp jinn to conjure jewels and food and wealth to impress the sultan and win over the daughter, but his greedy vizier convinces the sultan to wait 3 months so his own son can compete. Aladdin loses the daughter, but uses the jinn to teleport him into the bed with the daughter on their wedding night and for a month until the couple divorce, allowing Aladdin to marry her. The magician hears of this and steals the lamp from the palace, transporting the palace and daughter to Africa. Aladdin uses the ring to get their, and the sultan's daughter poisons the magician, and they move the kingdom back. Later, the magician's even more wicked brother sneaks into the kingdom and tries to summon a roc for the sultan's daughter by convincing Aladdin to do so. This enrages the jinn, as the roc is his master, but realizes the trickery of the magician's brother and sparing Aladdin. The jinn grants prosperity to Aladdin and the sultan's daughter forever, and Aladdin eventually becomes the sultan himself.

Bibliography: Scheherazade, Arabian Nights. http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/04/myth-folklore-unit-arabian-nights.html