Trickster Tales
So I'm taking an African American studies class this semester (History of the Jazz Age 1919-1941) and today we opened class with a discussion of Trickster Tales. So of course I took avid notes with the intent of sharing them as soon as I got a break between classes. Here are the highlights:
TRICKSTERS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:
raven, coyote, turtle: misc. American Indian Tricksters
Br'er (brother) Rabbit: African American Trickster
Ananzi the Spider: Afro-Caribbean Trickster
Eshu Elegba: Yoruba Trickster
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRICKSTER:
knack for survival in oppressive circumstances (wish Dini had kept that trait going)
duplicitous; cheater; manipulative
shape shifter (literal and figurative)
dependence upon wits and charm
strong individuality
expands and pushes the bounds of proper behavior
a comment on mixing & meeting of cultures & oppressive situations
is often an animal taking on human characteristics
TYPICAL TRICKSTER STORY
the trickster is often a weak animal in an oppressive situation, ex: br'er rabbit being attacked by br'er fox or br'er bear. the trickster then employs their wits to resist their more powerful oppressors; overall their subversion both brings hope to their audience while also cautioning them about the limits of resistance in their 'place'.
TRICKSTERS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:
raven, coyote, turtle: misc. American Indian Tricksters
Br'er (brother) Rabbit: African American Trickster
Ananzi the Spider: Afro-Caribbean Trickster
Eshu Elegba: Yoruba Trickster
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRICKSTER:
knack for survival in oppressive circumstances (wish Dini had kept that trait going)
duplicitous; cheater; manipulative
shape shifter (literal and figurative)
dependence upon wits and charm
strong individuality
expands and pushes the bounds of proper behavior
a comment on mixing & meeting of cultures & oppressive situations
is often an animal taking on human characteristics
TYPICAL TRICKSTER STORY
the trickster is often a weak animal in an oppressive situation, ex: br'er rabbit being attacked by br'er fox or br'er bear. the trickster then employs their wits to resist their more powerful oppressors; overall their subversion both brings hope to their audience while also cautioning them about the limits of resistance in their 'place'.