One of this week's readings
One of this week's readings is Joel Chandler Harris' "Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings," which is told in two chapters and stars Brer Rabbit, Brer Wolf, Brer Tarrypin, Brer Fox, and several other species. The folktale is told by Uncle Remus, who is considered to be a senior man from the African American community, to a seven-year-old son who is eager to catch every detail of the story in order to learn the fate of all the animals in the story. This story was told with the aim of championing weaker animals over those which were powerful through trickery practices, destruction, abuse, and violence.
The theme of rising above oppression
This collection of tales was composed with a specific purpose especially bearing in mind the fact that the African American community was under the rule of the white race. The theme of rising above oppression by the African Americans is reinforced using major characters including Brer Rabbit who is a trickster. Brer Rabbit as a very cunning character in the story escapes death through the wise use of words. For instance, he tricks Brer Fox by arguably convincing him to tear apart his earlobe or his eyes gouged out of their sockets than being thrown into the briar patch. The author avoids going into the details because of his incapacitating shyness especially because the two races are represented in the story.
Preservation of cultural practices
After reading the story, one thing turned out to be clear to me; that folktale and other essential practices of the African Americans available today including songs and movies available in this and future centuries are products of preservation of cultural practices across generations. According to the author, African Americans were under the rule of the white race which yielded popular songs such as Hip Hop which are indicative of rising from oppressions. This reading also shows that the cunning nature of the African Americans made them emerge out of slavery and live an independent life.
Work Cited
Harris, Joel Chandler. Uncle Remus, his songs and his sayings. Penguin, 1880.
