Introduction
A variety of cultures, languages and peoples
comprise the world and even many countries. Take a look at the United States of America. No one culture, language, or people make
up U.S. society. This
heterogeneous composition of the world is what gives flavor, color, and
richness to our human existence. Imagine
if we were all the same. Our lives
would be sterile, predictable, and, above all, monotonous.
Interestingly,
despite all the differences across cultures and peoples, we are all human, and
that means we share fundamental common experiences. Mothers, fathers, brothers,
and sisters exist everywhere. People
fall in love, struggle, dream, grow, laugh, communicate, celebrate, believe,
suffer, and learn. The list of human commonalities is endless. As a result, this common bond leads to
similar stories, such as trickster folk tales, that transcend cultural,
political, and geographical boundaries.
Guiding Questions
What are the characteristics of a trickster folk tale? In what ways does the trickster archetype and tale personify human qualities and experience?
Supporting Questions
1. What is a folk tale? And for whom were folk tales meant? What original purpose(s) did folk tales serve? Give a background summary.
2. What is storytelling and what are its origins? Give a brief definition.
3. Is the art of storytelling still practiced today? Identify a few local, national, and international storytelling organizations.
(Note: #4, #5, and #6 below relate)
4. What are six trickster folk tales from six different parts of the world? (Do not include any tales read in class or mentioned below.) Print a copy of each folk tale (cite sources).
5. From what country is each folk tale? Print a clear map illustrating surrounding countries and regions to give a world perspective of each folk tale's place of origin. Use color, symbols, and labels to identify the area and its surrounding boundaries.
6. In what language was each folk tale originally told? And around what time period did each folk tale emerge? Give a brief history of the origin of each folk tale.
7. Who is Joel Chandler Harris? Give a biographical synopsis.
8. What is The Tales of Uncle Remus? How did these stories originate? In what form had they existed prior to Joel Chandler Harris' documentation of them? What resources did Harris use to compile these stories? When did Harris compile these stories? What was the date of the first publication of The Tales of Uncle Remus? Give a historical overview of the origin of these folk tales and make a copy of the front cover of the first publication of The Tales of Uncle Remus.
9. What are two well-known Brer Rabbit tales compiled by Joel Chandler Harris? Print a modern, yet unabridged version (i.e. the story and characters remain true to Chandler's original text) of one (cite source), and the original Harris rendition of the same story. What differences do you notice between the two texts?
10. What cartoon character did Hollywood model after Brer Rabbit? You can probably guess. Research the creation of this cartoon character, and give a background summary.
Internet Resources
Folk and Trickster Tales From Around the World
Introduction to Storytelling FAQs
Find Storytelling Networks and Organizations
Projects
1. Create a chart that lists: a) each trickster folk tale you found on the web; b) its country of origin; c) the names, physical description, and traits of each trickster and of its adversaries; d) the trickster's strength; e) the adversary's weakness; f) the trickster's predicament, challenge, or goal; and g) the final outcome of these.
2. Choose one of the trickster folk tales you found through the web and create an original book cover for the printed folk tale. Include your own creative drawings inside to highlight the printed story.
3. Choose a passage from a Brer Rabbit tale to share with the class. Your selection should epitomize Brer Rabbit's traits and the humorous "tight messes" into which he puts himself.
4. Practice reading one of the trickster folk tales (perhaps the one from #2 above) out loud, and then, tell the story to the class. Give yourself plenty of time to memorize your story and to practice telling it with animated expressions and gestures. You can use minor props (e.g. you can use a cane for an old man); however, remember that the art of storytelling comes from one's verbal and dramatic ability to tell the story.
5. Using the list of storytelling organizations you found on the web, or through some other source, find an upcoming storytelling event nearby that you can attend some time this semester. Tell me which event you will attend beforehand. Plan ahead because this final project can not be substituted with some other assignment. Then, write a description of the performance that includes thoughtful comments. Attach a copy of the program.