Preserving folk takes and oral tradition is an important part of history. Ever since we read “The Tar Baby” in class and other Brer Rabbit folk tales I have been wondering about where exactly I had first heard of the tales. Only recently I remembered that when I was little my grandmother use to have a collection of Disney books and movies. Apparently all of these kinds of African American folk tales were recorded in the old styled (and I mean old styled 1946!) Disney films. I don’t know if any of you have ever seen or are interested in seeing the movie “Song of the South” it incorporates a lot of the stories we have read. From what I can remember it revolves around “uncle Remus” who regales children with the folklore of the past. If any of you don’t know who he is that’s the Zippity Doo Dah guy. In any case recently I looked online and they actually have this film at Vulcan video down the street. I may rent it just to have a better understanding of the stories. I strongly recommend you guys at least you tube the folk tales. I personally feel that they are super complex in nature. I’m not implying that these films will enlighten you about any themes or anything we haven’t talked about. For the most part if nothing else it gives a nice visual. It also kind of emphasizes the importance of the stories. If Disney thought they were important enough to document you know they must have been well known. They are considered classics. Perhaps it is a way of infusing the past and present by letting future generations have a glimpse at the issues of the past through stories. As we discussed that isn’t an easy thing to do. Although the history of these tales appear to be less well known it’s important that they continue to be circulated. Hence even if the Disney versions aren’t extremely useful they have helped keep the stories alive. Above is a picture of the movie cover for the “Song of the South” from the Disney archives (http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/movies/songofsouth/songofsouth.html).
Brer Rabbit is brown Rabbit in the middle of the cover. The bear and the fox, his nemesis’’ can be seen in the corners behind the trees. I suppose this is a more contemporary depiction of the tales. For the record, I also want to point out that if you do watch this movie there are liable to be some more derogatory or seemingly racist remarks. Just remember the context in which it was made.
I definitely recognize the cover of this film, I'm not sure if I every saw it but it seems as though it is very parallel to the stories we have read. Even though the book we read in class, 'From My People' is African American Literature most of the stories are not specified to any race. I think that this movie is a good example showing that folktales are very common among all cultures and that the messages behind them are still worthy to be passed down. Like you mentioned, Disney found them to be important.
ReplyDeleteI do find it interesting though that you point out the derogatory and seemingly racist remarks that come along with these folktales. I am mainly surprised that Disney would incorporate that, even though it is a reality.
I to remember being read some of the older Disney stories when I was younger. I have no clue which stories they were, but do remember that some of them had gold bindings. As I can recall, most of the cartoon type books that were read to me at a young age included many moral implications. I know Dr. Seuss and Theodor Geisel's many stories were a popular bedtime story at my house. I suppose it would be interesting to note the changes that have occurred in the characters of children's books. Whats more, it seems that regardless of whether the book is a modern children's book, an older children's book, a group of fables or tales it seems that many of the same morals are taught throughout.
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