Uncle Remus Essay, Research Paper
Uncle Remus
The Reversal of Power in Remus
In Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings, Uncle Remus frames the black folktales as entertainment for the young boy with the similar approach Joel Chandler Harris writes this entertaining novel. Both the author and Uncle Remus employ the format of entertainment to further convey the issues of black and white race relations. One issue that dealt with slavery is the distribution of power. Pre-Civil War the white race legally held power over the black race. Chandler uses a reversal of power in the relationship between the black Uncle Remus and the white little boy to display the gradual changes in the power structure among blacks and whites postwar times. Uncle Remus possesses ways of controlling the boy and his actions by threatening to not tell him stories for bad behavior and for with holding stories until the boy will obey his wishes. Uncle Remus tells the story of “The Deluge and how it came about” to the small boy obviously for entertainment but for another purpose. The story contains deeper meaning in that it can also be read to show the alteration of the conventional hold of power among the larger creatures to the smaller creatures which reflects the relationship of Uncle Remus and the little boy, and furthermore reflects black/white issues.
As Chandler tells the story of Uncle Remus and the small boy, the power that the black man holds over the white child is apparent. Uncle Remus can be seen as a representative for the black race while the little boy can be a representative of the white race. The control that Uncle Remus possesses over the boy reflects the issue of possibility for power change in post war times.
Uncle Remus illustrates his power control in deciding when he believes a story should be told and if a story should be told according to the boy’s behavior and actions. On one occasion Uncle Remus tells the boy that he “ain’t tellin’ no tales ter bad chilluns” because he suspects that the child badly behaves by doing acts such as “chunkin’ dem chickens dis mawnin,” “knockin’ out fokes’s eyes wid that Yallerbammer slin des ‘fo dinner,” and “flingin’ rocks on top of [Uncle Remus’] house, which a little mo’en one of un em would er drap on [Remus’] head.” The extent of Uncle Remus’ power over the child is shown in the child’s response to the alleged behavior. He claims, “Well now, Uncle Remus, I didn’t go to do it.” The boy thrives on hearing the entertaining stories so he even goes as far as to confess and tell Uncle Remus “ I won’t do so any more.” The extent of what the boy will do to hear the stories is further exhibited as “Miss Sally’s” little boy coerces Remus with “teacakes” so he will continue the tales. The old man believes that “seein’ um’s better’n hearin’ tell un um” so the boy’s liking of the stories creates in him a willingness to do whatever Uncle Remus asks even though the taking of his mother’s teacakes again displays bad behavior. It seems not to matter to the child if he is doing wrong or what he has done wrong. All he wants is to hear Remus’ stories. The boy flees in search of the cakes to return within minutes “with his pockets full and hands full” to Remus’ world of wonderful folklore. Uncle Remus also shows power when on occasion he will discontinue telling the story towards the end of it just because he can, just because he has that choice. Uncle Remus believes that he should not “give out too much cloff fer ter cut one pa’r pants,” which expresses the belief that if he tells the boy all the story he will not come back for more. Then the old man would resume in the position of not holding power over him because he would have nothing the boy desires to return for. The withholding of information allows Uncle Remus to keep a string attached to the boy that he can pull at any time to make the boy come at his call or to puppet master his actions.
The relationship between Uncle Remus and the boy is reflected in the folklore story of “the deluge and how it came about.” The story of the deluge concerns the reversal of power possession. The forest of animals in the story can represent the American black and white society, and the black folktale even supports this comparison and association to people by stating that the creatures “had the sense same like folks.” Also, the way in which the names of the animals are displayed as capitalized, such as Elephant instead of elephant, assigns a more human like characteristic because of the similarity to the presentation of human names. At the beginning of the tale while all the animals are holding an assembly a large elephant steps on and squashes a small Crawfish. The Elephant really pays no attention to his action because there “wuzn’t nuff er dat Crawfish lef’ ter tell dat he’d [even] bin dar.” In this situation the elephant can be looked upon as the “large, powerful, and important” white race while the crawfish can represent the “weaker, smaller, and less” important black race. The careless crushing of the crawfish executed by the Elephant may symbolize the constant slave repression and reprimanding because the elephant later steps on another crawfish. The only individuals that seem to care are the other crawfish, which is similar to the way that the slaves may feel towards one of their own that has been “squshed.” When the crawfish decide to speak, none of the larger animals regard their presence; only smaller and weaker animals, such as themselves, choose to listen to their complaints. Even the crawfish state that the animals that do listen, the Mud Turtle and the Spring Lizard, have influence that lacks power. The smaller animals represent the other slaves that care about the situation but have no power or influence close to that of the elephant, who represents the powerful non-listening white race. When the elephant proceeds to step on another crawfish this pushes them into a revolt where they bore holes into the ground and create a flood, which could be associated with a slave revolt—or even greater, a war. The crawfish as one could make no difference but as a huge group of smaller animals they do. This can be compared to the idea that many slaves as opposed to one can make a difference. The anger of the crawfish because of the careless elephant push them to revolt just as the black slaves can revolt against the careless white slave holders despite size and the difficulty of overcoming something or somebody more powerful. Of course the reversal of power seen in the relationship between black Uncle Remus and the white boy is not as dramatic or characterized by anger as the story of the small crayfish and large elephant.
Uncle Remus’ power over the white boy allows him to hold the boys attention by telling a more intensified version of the reversal of power in the story of “The deluge and how it came about” that is utilized in Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus: His Songs and his Sayings. Uncle Remus is certain to have several other stories so he does not choose this story for the sole purpose of entertainment but it seems as he does this in hopes of relaying the deeper meaning. Although the boy may only see this now as an amusing story he may retain the story because of its whimsicalness and unconventionality. Later in life he can remember it and discover that a deeper meaning is present.
Другие работы по теме:
Uncle Marcos Essay Research Paper The author
Uncle Marcos Essay, Research Paper The author Isabel Allende portrays a little girl named Clara who recalls her deceased uncle, Uncle Marcos. Clara reminiscently recalls all of his existence during her life, though out the story. She remembers how when he would
The Little Business Man Essay Research Paper
The Little Business Man By Morley Callaghan In this story, The Little Business Man, by Morley Callaghan, we met several different characters. The most important characters, Luke and Uncle Henry, had several different values. Luke s values were care, protection and optimism, while his uncle s values were organization, insensibility, and efficiency.
Antigone Essay Research Paper Death by ConvictionIndividualists
Antigone Essay, Research Paper Death by Conviction Individualists are selfish! Individualists are willing to take any and all kinds of abuse for their cause. They will stand up for what they believe in no matter what the cost. Some are called heroes; some are called psychopaths. But all of them have no doubt whatsoever about their convictions.
Harry Potter And The Sorceror
’s Stone Essay, Research Paper 1. Harry Potter?s parents are killed, but the person who killed his parents doesn?t kill him. 2. He is sent to live with his aunt uncle, and cousin, Dudley, who make him sleep in a cupboard underneath the basement stairs.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerers Stone Essay
, Research Paper This book is about Harry Potter a boy whose parents get killed by an evil wizard named Voldermort.A few years later he is sent to live with his aunt and uncle and his fat cousin . On one of his normal boring days an owl
Looking For Stuff On The Net That
You Need For School Essay, Research Paper The Van Gogh Family Tree His obnoxious brother………….Please Gogh His dizzy aunt……………………Verti Gogh The brother who ate prunes………..Gotta Gogh
Araby Essay Research Paper Araby1 SummaryThis short
Araby Essay, Research Paper ?Araby? 1) Summary: This short story is about a boy (narrator) who is attracted to his friend?s sister, she is also his neighbor. Narrator is a boy who has probably just started his
Hamlet Hamlet
’s Hate For His Uncle Brought On By Ghost Essay, Research Paper Hamlet: Hamlet’s Hate For His Uncle Brought On By Ghost BY CHRIS NELSON In society today one might look back on the time of Shakespeare and say
Hamlet Character Essay Research Paper In the
Hamlet Character Essay, Research Paper In the pay "Hamlet", the main character is a man who wants revenge. He wants it so bad that he becomes obsessed with the idea until it ultimately kills
Christians Essay Research Paper I agree with
Christians Essay, Research Paper I agree with the Uncle that the Bible should be analyzed and interpret like any other book. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you can interpret it correctly. I come from a Christian family and we all have read the Bible. But I know that I have interpret parts of the Bible in a different matter then other members of my family, they have as well.
Harry Potter Essay Research Paper Quick ReviewAfter
Harry Potter Essay, Research Paper Quick Review After being brought up by his horrid Aunt and Uncle, Harry is surprised one day when a letter arrives for him. He never gets post, but for some reason, his uncle doesn’t want him to have it. The next day more appear, and then more and more, until the huge Hagrid arrives.
Hamlet 2 Essay Research Paper In Shakespeare
Hamlet 2 Essay, Research Paper In Shakespeare s explicit play of Hamlet, corruption is the central theme. The society of Denmark is portrayed as a belittled community of deceit. The combating metaphors and imagery explain the never ending corruption in Hamlet and his society.
Character Comparison Essay Research Paper Character ComparisonHarold
Character Comparison Essay, Research Paper Character Comparison Harold Krebs in ” Soldier’s Home” and Uncle Fred in “My Uncle Fred” both have one thing in common. They have experiences about a World War. Nonetheless, the two men have certain outstanding differences with regards to their characters.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer
’s Stone Essay, Research Paper Harry Potter starts off slow, but gets very interesting near the end. In the beginning, you meet the Dursleys, Harry’s aunt, uncle, and their son Dudley. Then you learn that Harry’s
Kidnapped The Classic Essay Research Paper A
Kidnapped The Classic Essay, Research Paper A Classic To Be Read A book that I believe every college student should read is Kidnapped, by Robert Stevenson. This novel has a great amount of dialect throughout, well developed characters and is
Comparison And Contrast Aunt And Uncle Essay
, Research Paper Aunt and Uncle Through a Niece’s Eyes The old axiom “opposites attract” certainly seems true in regard to my aunt and uncle. Despite a physical resemblance, their differences outnumber their likenesses. The most distinctive differences are in their childhood backgrounds, political views, and personalities.
Julius Caesar Essay Research Paper Born in
Julius Caesar Essay, Research Paper Born in Rome on July 12 or 13, 100 BC, Caesar belonged to the prestigious Julian clan; yet from early childhood he knew controversy. His uncle by marriage was
A Childhood Experience Essay Research Paper My
A Childhood Experience Essay, Research Paper My aunt had remarried a man named Herbert Rawls our as I called him Uncle Butch. He was a very nice man and he treated my aunt and her son with respect. I respected him with all my heart and soul because I saw a man who worked two jobs to support my aunt and her son. He did a lot for my little cousin and he treated him like he was his own child.
Hamlet Foreshadowing Essay Research Paper An example
Hamlet Foreshadowing Essay, Research Paper An example of foreshadowing is when Hamlet’s father came to him as a ghost to inform him of his murder, this caused a rage within Hamlet that foreshadows his revenge. This revenge led to the death of his uncle, mother, and himself. It also created Hamlet’s wild behavior, and caused him possibly to become insane..
Hamlet Soliloquy Translation Act I Scene Ii
, Lines 129-159 Essay, Research Paper Oh I wish I could just evaporate into thin air or that God agreed with suicide. All things weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world! Curse on it, I curse.
Racial Undertones In Brer Rabbit Essay Research
Paper Among the finest of America’s humorists and Southern local-color writers, Joel Chandler Harris, b. Eatonton, Ga., Dec. 9, 1848, d. July 3, 1908, did much to popularize American Negro plantation culture. His most memorable creation, “Negro Folklore: The Story of Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Fox, as Told by Uncle Remus,” first appeared in the Atlanta Constitution on July 20, 1879.
Uncle Toms Cabin Essay Research Paper Uncle
Uncle Toms Cabin Essay, Research Paper Uncle Tom’s Cabin How realistically and credibly does Stowe present slavery? Stowe presents slavery in the only way she knows how, by using the facts. Several sources of other works in American literature contrast on to how Stowe presents slavery in her novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The elements of slavery are driven through the reflections of theme, characterization, and setting to show that the way slavery is presented is not contradicting.
Luke Essay Research Paper Baldwins s Vow
Luke Essay, Research Paper Baldwins s Vow Luke Baldwin’s Vow is a story written by Morley Callaghan. It is a story about the vow Luke makes. In this essay I will tell you about the good and bad things that Luke goes through.
Once Upon A Time When We Were
Colored Essay, Research Paper Once Upon a Time When we were Colored is a very good book. I will summarize the events in this book in the next few paragraphs. I will explain Uncle Cleve s personality and the author. I will also explain the prejudice in this book.
To Soon For Jeff Essay Research Paper
To soon For Jeff (essay) Dashan is a friend of Jeff. Even though Christy became a really good friend of his. Though Dashan wasted his time and also had his heart broken by Christy he has suffered the least. Things could have workout for Dashan and Christy but no.
Poetry Rhonda Goes Fishing Essay Research Paper
Poetry: Rhonda Goes Fishing Uncle Marcus comes rapping on your bedroom door one Saturday morning. Says he got a can full of worms and your cane pole, just like old times. Unc, what you better have is some coffee! He
Characterization Of Uncle Henry Essay Research Paper
Characterization of Uncle Henry This characterization of Uncle Henry focuses on the two main ways that he is portrayed in “Luke Baldwin’s Vow.” These two ways are: what Morley Callaghan, the author, reveals through the narrator and what other characters say about Henry. In this short story, Henry is usual referred to as Uncle Henry because he is Luke’s uncle.
My Uncle Essay Research Paper My UncleOn
My Uncle Essay, Research Paper My Uncle On a hot day in the Summer time, my uncle died in the hospital in Truman, in the town which he had grown up in. My uncle was a common man who spent his days
Uncle Toms Cabin Essay Research Paper Book
Uncle Toms Cabin Essay, Research Paper Book Report for Uncle Toms Cabin Uncle Toms Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe is about a slave named Uncle Tom. In this book the main characters are Uncle Tom, Eliza and George Harris. This book may not be real but it is based on something that actually happened in history.
Uncle Tom
’s Cabin Essay, Research Paper Tompkins, Jane P. ?Sentimental Power: Uncle Tom?s Cabin and The Politics of Literary History?. Glyph 2 (1978) This essay is an incredible wealth of knowledge for someone who wants to write a paper on why Uncle Tom?s Cabin is so significant. The author had actually lived in Harriet Beecher Stowe?s half-sister?s basement ?during a difficult time? in her life (501).
Uncle Sams Song Essay Research Paper Uncle
Uncle Sam`s Song Essay, Research Paper Uncle Sam’s song, "I Don’t Ever Wanna See You Again" is a song about a guy who gets his heart broken by his girlfriend. In this song Uncle Sam is
The Origin Of Rome Essay Research Paper
Origin of Rome The origin of Rome is an interesting story. Did you know that Rome began by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus? About a year before the twin brothers were born, their