Trickster Tales

1. Trickster Tales Pranksters from around the world

2. Trickster TalesWhere Do They Come From? • Trickster tales come from all over the world: • Leprechauns from Ireland • Anansi the Spider from Africa • Brer Rabbit from the United States • Most trickster tales, no matter where they’re from, use human-like animals to teach children an important moral or to explain how something came to be

3. Trickster TalesTrickster Tales in North America • Trickster tales were an important part of life for African-American slaves • These stories were passed along orally, as nightly entertainment • Trickster tales were a way to pass along African culture from one generation to the next

4. Trickster TalesTrickster Tales in North America • African-American slaves saw the trickster character as a hero who used his/her intelligence to outsmart stronger, more powerful enemies • E.g. Brer rabbit often used his smarts to trick Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, or Brer Bear • The trickster character gave African-American slaves hope that they would one day use their intelligence, rather than violence, to overthrow the institution of slavery

5. Trickster TalesEssential Elements • Characters • Few characters (two or three) • One good/clever trickster • One “bad” character • Animals have human characteristics (e.g. talk, wear clothes, etc.)

6. Trickster TalesEssential Elements • Setting • Not very important or described • Time and place are indicated with traditional phrases: “In a far away land,” “Once upon a time”

7. Trickster TalesEssential Elements • Problem • A strong character takes advantage of a weaker character • The action may be repetitive, often in threes • The strong character remains confident until the end

8. Trickster TalesEssential Elements • Solution • The weaker character will play a trick • The solution is short and to the point • The story may teach a lesson • The story may explain why something occurs