Miller/2617/Traditional Literature Reviews
Mechanics -2 93/108
Schlosser, S.E.
Brer Rabbit meets a Tar Baby
S.E. Schlosser 1997-2006 -1
Traditional Literature: American Tall Tale
Summary: Brer Fox finally has his last straw with Brer Rabbit and feels that he needs to kill him. He
sculpts a fake baby made of tar and sets it in the road for Brer Rabbit to run into. When Brer Rabbit runs
into the baby, he soon finds himself covered in tar and begging Brer Fox not to hang him or roast him
but instead, throw him in the briar. What Brer Fox doesn’t know upon throwing Brer Rabbit into the
briar is that, that is where Brer Rabbit was born and doesn’t kill him.
Concepts/Values:
1. Talk out your problems, if you have someone with someone.
2. Do not laugh or make fun of other’s misfortunes
Reaction: This story was a little shocking to me at the beginning, just because Brer Fox so badly wanted
to kill Brer Rabbit for reasons that many people on an everyday basis. It was an interesting way to catch
Brer Rabbit with the tar baby. Also, it was cleaver of Brer Rabbit to talk Brer Fox into throwing him into
the briar where he knew that he would survive. Are the stories of Brer Rabbit the same character that
Disney uses on the Splash Mountain ride? I can’t remember the name of the story, but I know it deals
with Brer Rabbit and a fox. All the “Brer” characters are part of Uncle Remus’s tales; if you remember a
Brer Rabbit on the ride, I imagine they are both speaking of the same character.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some other things Brer Fox could’ve done instead of making the tar baby?
2. Since Brer Rabbit went to hit the tar baby, did he deserve getting stuck and why?
3. What exactly is a briar patch?
Author Unknown
The Frog in the Shallow Well
-1
Traditional Literature: Chinese Fable
Summary: An arrogant Frog feels that he has the best home on earth. He brags to the Sea Turtle and
invites him to visit his well. Upon his visit, the Sea Turtle informs the Frog that his home in the sea is
much better because it is always constant. This shocks the frog and makes him feel small and worthless.
Concepts/Values:
1. Do not compare things until you have the full facts of both sides.
2. Do not let someone else determine your own happiness
Reaction: It was an interesting short fable. I had never even of heard of it, so I enjoyed going into it not
knowing anything. It was nice to see how much the Frog loved his well; however, he seemed almost
arrogant when telling the turtle and describing it. The Turtle seemed to be playing a little tit for tat in
the way that he had to compete and describe all the ways that the sea was better. It made me a little
sad when the Frog felt worthless and insignificant. He should not have let the words of others change his
true feelings.
Discussion Questions:
1. How long is the distance of a thousand li in Chinese measurement?
2. How long is the distance of a ren in Chinese measurement?
3. Why does the Frog feel insignificant become very ill after the turtle tells him of the sea?
Unknown Author
How Coyote Stole Fire
-1
Traditional Literature: Native American Fable
Summary: This fable gives explanation of how a coyote stole fire to help out the humans. He had to
carefully go and watch the Fire Beings who were greedy with their fire and devise a plan. It also explains
why certain animals such as, squirrels, chipmunks and frogs have certain characteristics.
Concepts/Values:
1. Sharing is always caring, especially when people are in desperate need
2. Plan things out or carefully think about them and ponder before taking action
Reaction: This was a great fable! I had never read it before. It was cute and exciting. It kept me excited
wondering how the Coyote would get the fire and not get a caught. I also enjoyed reading how the
animals obtained certain characteristics. What exactly are the fire beings? It never came out and fully
described them besides about their claws. They are simply mythical beings of the monster type.
Discussion questions:
1. What is a fire being?
2. Why do coyotes always have white at the tip of their tails?
3. Why do chipmunks always have white stripes on their backs?
Aesop
The Ass and the Wolf
The Best of Aesop’s Fables-1
Margret Clark 1990
Traditional Literature: Aesop Fable
Summary: As an ass is grazing in the field, he sees a fox coming. In fear of being eaten, he pretends he
has a thorn stuck in his foot to the fox will not eat him. Convincing the fox that if he doesn’t take the
thorn out first it will get stuck in his throat, so the fox decides to take it for him. Upon doing so, the ass
kicks the fox.
Concepts/Values:
1. Stick to what you know
2. Do not fake being truly concerned for someone or something
Reaction: This was a great fable. I was surprised by the ending. It was nice to see that the Fox
acknowledged his wrong doing. It was cleaver of the ass to do what he did.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why did the ass pretend to have a thorn in his throat?
2. Why did the Fox ask what was wrong with the ass if he just wanted to eat him?
3. What was the lesson that the fox learned?
Schlosser, S.E.
Blackbeard’s Ghost
S.E. Schlosser 1997-2006 -1
Traditional Literature: American Legend
Summary: Blackbeard a ruthless pirate, goes from city to city, place to place, stealing, plundering,
killing and hurting. Until one day, when a ship called the Maynard, stands up and wants to stop
Blackbeard and his ship. They get into a battle and Maynard did all he could to kill Blackbeard. It is
now said that Blackbeard wanders and haunts those waters looking for his head.
Concept/Values:
1. Do not hurt innocent people
2. Do not lie or give false actions
Reaction: I enjoyed this American Legend. It made me curious about Blackbeard and what really
happened to him. Also, it makes me more interested in pirates in general and wanting to go back
east and go to the spots that were described in the story.
Discussion questions:
1. How many times did Blackbeard’s body float around the ship?
2. What was Blackbeard’s favorite hideaway called?
3. What was the date of Blackbeard’s death and who killed him?
Author Unknown
The Legend of the Shamrock-1
Traditional Literature: Irish Legend
Summary: An Irish saint, helps his followers become believers in the Holy Trinity. He uses the example
of the shamrock plant with its three leaves and states it’s “three in one”. This Irish saint is St. Patrick,
which goes on to explain why we have St. Patrick’s Day, why we have it, and why we wear green and
shamrocks.
Concepts/Values:
1.
three in one.
2.
meanings
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
Hayes, Joe
La Llorona -1
The Holy Trinity can be explained by a shamrock in the sense of
The reasoning as why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and its
What was St. Patrick explaining with the shamrock?
What does the word “Shamrock” mean?
What are the old copper coins called?
Traditional Literature: Hispanic Legend
Summary: A beautiful young woman becomes arrogant knowing her beauty. She falls in love and tricks
the man she loves into loving her back and they become married. They have two children but soon it
becomes unhappy and her husband says he will push her aside for another woman. He soon begins to
ignore and only pay attention to their children. Maria hits the point where she cannot take it anymore
and throws her children into a river. She quickly realizes what she has done and goes in after them. She
did not make it out and drowned. They now say that you can hear her at night crying for her children.
Concepts/Values:
1.
2.
dark
Do not let jealously lead you to certain actions
Little children should be out playing by themselves, especially after
Reaction: This legend, I have never even read before so it was an enjoyable reading. I was shocked how
vain she was. That is probably a clue that she would not have a happy marriage in the end. It surprised
me to see how jealous she was of her children. I did not understand why she stayed with her husband.
One thing that threw me was, Comanche? What is that?
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
to find another wife?
3.
What is a Comanche?
Why didn’t Maria just leave her husband after he told he was going
Where did they come up with the name La Llonora for Maria?
Unknown Author
African Creation Myth (Efik- Central Nigeria)
Untangle Incorporated 1995-2001
Traditional Literature: African Myth
Summary: This is the creation story of the Efik tribe in central Nigeria. The creator Abassi created the
earth, man and woman, but did not want them to grow, procreate and live on earth. His wife however
convinced him and soon after the two people began do the things that he prohibited. In return, his wife
sent death and discord to earth.
Concepts/Values:
1.
People will always do what they want
2.
Sometimes it is best to allow people to try things for themselves,
for that may be the only way they will learn.
Reaction: It was an interesting creation myth. It had similarities to the creation myth of Adam and Eve
from the Bible. It also carried general ideas from that same story.
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
people from in habiting it?
Unknown Author
Why did the wife of Abassi send death and discord to earth?
Why would Abassi prohibit certain actions?
If Abassi created the world and humans, why would he keep his
The Tale of the Doomed Prince
-1
Traditional Literature: Egyptian Myth
Summary: This Egyptian myth is of a Prince, who when born was told by the seven fates how he would
die. Which was going to be either by a dog, serpent, or crocodile?frag He goes through life being kept
safe and always watched. At an early age, he wants a dog, so his father permits him to have one. Later
when he gets older, he begins to have a desire of wanting to enjoy life while he is alive and still on this
earth. He leaves his kingdom and soon finds himself competing for a beautiful woman’s hand in
marriage. He wins and continues living with her and finds himself in situations that deal with his fate.
Concepts/Values:
1.
2.
Enjoy life to the fullest while you are here.
Fate is fate and you cannot change it.
Reaction: This was a unique myth that displayed enjoying life and continuing on if there is something
trying to get in the way or stopping you. I really enjoyed how the prince kept living his life despite what
he was told about his fate. Especially how he still wanted a dog as pet throughout his life. frag
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
Sophocles
Oedipus the King -1
How come the dog never attacked the Prince?
Why was the Prince so careless about his fate?
Did his dog kill the crocodile? -1
Traditional Literature: Greek Myth
Summary: Oedipus is born to Jocasta and Laius who are the King and Queen of Thebes. Upon the arrival
of his birth they inquire to an oracle of their son’s fate. The oracle tells him that he will slay his father
and marry his mother. After receiving this information, Laius takes the baby to a hill and leaves it there
to die. However, a shepherd finds the young infant and takes it to his King Corinth. Corinth adopts the
infant and raises him. Corinth turns to a God to find out information and learns the story of Oedipus.
Oedipus flees thinking that Corinth is his real father and does not want to kill. He soon runs into Laius
along a road and slays him. He later returns to Thebes and finds himself in love with Jocasta and then
become married and have children. Later, Oedipus learns of everything and Jocasta kills herself and
Oedipus gouges out his own eyes.
Concepts/Values:
1.
2.
and misunderstandings
Some things are not always what they first appear to be
Do not assume, because all that causes are miscommunications
Reaction: This myth, no matter how many times I read it is interesting. Outcomes could have differed or
been changed if they would have just kept Oedipus in Thebes when he was first born. Also, things may
have been different if they never when to the Oracle or Gods to see Oedipus’ fate or future.
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
Why did the King of Corinth take in Oedipus?
Why did Jocasta commit suicide?
3.
Eldrbarry
Mink and the Sun -1
At the end of the story, why does Oedipus gouge out his own eyes?
Traditional Literature: Native American Trickster
Summary: A young boy is ridiculed for only having a mother. His mother later informs him that his father
is the Sun. Growing up he must go through life being made fun of, due to not having a father and saying
that his father is the sun. As he gets older, he begins traveling from tribe to tribe, stealing, and playing
mean tricks on the members. He then wants to meet his father so he goes to the sun and introduces
himself. He later talks his father into letting him take over his job. However, there are certain
responsibilities and consequences to the job of the sun.
Concepts/Values:
1.
2.
Never think you are better or above someone else
Listen to your elders, they have experience and knowledge
Reaction: I really enjoyed reading this story. Throughout the story I wanted to see what was going to
happen at the end. I anticipated Mink doing something horribly wrong when taking on his father’s job; I
couldn’t guess exactly what was going to go wrong though.
Discussion Questions:
1.
2.
3.
Schlosser, S.E.
Why Dogs Chase Cats-1
What type of animal is Mink? What clues lead you to that answer?
In what ways was Mink arrogant?
Who is the Sun’s squaw?
Traditional Literature: European Trickster
Summary: Dog and Cat were married at one time. However, Dog was tired of fixing dinner for him and
Cat, because Cat said she was always sick. Dog devised a plan where he would hide on day and see if cat
was really sick. It turned out that Cat was lying and tried to cover up that lie with another one, which
made Dog even more furious and he began chasing her all around the house. This is why, dogs chase
cats.
Concepts/Values:
1.
2.
problems
Do not lie
Do not try to cover one lie with another, it’ll just cause more
Reaction: This was a cute, simple and short story. I found it interesting to see that it gave reasoning as to
why we have animals with certain attributes. Is the cat the trickster in this story?
Discussion questions:
1.
2.
lying?
Why did Cat always say she was sick?
Why did Cat stick a marble in her cheek when Dog caught her
3.
Did Cat just not like making dinner? -1