Week 11 Essay: A Hollywood Hero

What I have found super interesting in this unit is that the Robin Hood I read about was different from the Robin Hood I expected to read about. Robin Hood has always been a vigilante hero, someone who has robbed from the rich to give to the poor. You know, King Richard's BFF. Anyway, the Robin Hood I read about in these ballads was kind of...well, forgive my unprofessionalism, but he was a douchebag. Of course, the story I always come back to, he killed some guys just because they called him a kid and said he wasn't good with a bow and arrow. A littl much, wouldn't you say?

The Robin Hood We Know and Love

Now, what I want to know is how he changed from this jerk of a guy into the Errol Flynn, Batman-esque figure with much praise attached to his name. I read some stories of Robin Hood when I was younger that were supposedly originally told or written back in the 1400s and 1500s, and Robin Hood was a classic, slightly-swashbuckling savior to poor and oppressed individuals everywhere. The change seems to have occurred when British tyranny was an issue and these English folk were actually being oppressed like the characters in the stories.

So, it seems the nature of Robin Hood has changed (and continues to do so) over time and the course of society. He becomes whatever people need him to be. This, of course, can apply to every hero or legend, but it seems interesting that this marks the first folktale that I have experienced this over the course of the entire semester. It is something to think about that there are heroes out there who can be whoever us ordinary folk need them to be whenever we need them.

Author's Note
Of course, I read the Robin Hood Ballads, this week, and this is the thought that has stuck with me the entire week. I hope it made sense, and I'm not the only one who feels this way about it.

Week 11 Storytelling: Anger Issues

What a beautiful day for a trackmeet. The wind was blowing a nice and soothing breeze, the sun was out but veiling itself with a thin layer of cloud, and of course, the cheers from a stadium full of well-wishers, withering talents, and wannabes. I can easily get drunk off of this. I probably will one day. Right now, it's too sobering knowing that the cheers aren't for me. Most people don't know who I am. There is one small section over there calling my name, but they are drowning in a sea of screams. It's no matter. Everyone will join them by the end of today.

Time to line up, which means time to walk among the insults. Sure enough, just like everywhere else, the obnoxious drivel makes a path to lead me to my spot on the starting line. This bald gentleman calls me "kid" and says I'll be lucky to run the right direction. I gather his capacity for insult is below average. Another man with an Adonis build tells me I'll be eating his dust. I hate it when they say that. I hate it when they can't take me seriously! I'll show them. They'll see what I can do.

Gunshot.

I love this feeling. I love to sprint. I love to sprint towards an idiot, making him wonder what's going to happen next. They never quite know what's going to happen until I strike. Then, boom! Their hands and knees are scraping against the track, the wounds collecting gravel and dirt and blood. It's a wonderful feeling. In fact, I think it is one that a few certain individuals should experience, right now. Mr. Adonis, himself, can actually eat my dust. Just a few more to go. Plus, there's the finish line. Baldy up ahead is my last to deal with. He's about to be run over by a "kid". We'll see how he likes it.

Wham! There he goes! Haha! Ooh, and his bones crunch a little. Beautiful sound. For good measure, I can use his face for a springboard! There's the tape, there's the line, and there's the applause. Wonderful. This is what I live for, and these morons won't question my ability again, I would hope. It's good to be on top.

You Have the Music Stuck in Your Head, Don't You?

Author's Note
I adapted this from the Robin Hood Ballad called, Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham, which follows a similar vain. However, I watched Chariots of Fire the other night, so a race was on my mind. It was a smooth transition to my Storytelling, so I decided to run with it (pun intended).

Week 11 Reading Diary: Robin Hood

...
...This is not the Robin Hood I've heard of. He just killed 15 people because they told him he couldn't shoot a bow well. However, it tends to get a little better as time goes on. His meeting with Little John is about what I expected and is in fact very similar to their meeting in a certain Mel Brooks movie I adore. So, that kind of makes up for things concerning that introduction. Robin Hood is always quite clever and that makes the songs more enjoyable. Plus, it should be noted that the songs being kept in the original Olde English is very fun to try and read. I also went ahead and listened to a few of the recordings, just to say I did, and it was most definitely worth it. Also, there are quite a few "derry"s and "down"s throughout the songs, which makes it quite interesting, incredibly strange, and honestly, a little fun. If you ask me, though, I love these stories so far, but I prefer the easy-going, rob from the rich and give to the poor, kind of Robin Hood. He's a cool dude. This guy, well, he's got his moments, but he's different.

What's really surprising is how there became such an iconic hero as the Hollywood Robin Hood and what I'm assuming was in later English myth than from is in these ballads. What did it take for them to change his character so? I mean, while reading, I can get a glimpse of the legend that has been made into countless movies and storybooks and fantasies, but this Robin Hood is kind of a jerk. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying these ballads and tales. I think what I like about them so much is how they are singable. Who doesn't love a good song? Seriously, if Ariana Grande recorded a song with these Robin Hood lyrics, I might actually listen to Ariana Grande. I might still refrain if Nicki Minaj did them, though...

Week 10 Essay: Native Americans Were Hippies

First of all, I want to make this clear, I am Native American - and I'm not Cherokee! I'm Choctaw, and I love my heritage. I think classes like this that set aside study for such a topic as Native American mythology is fantastic. This week, I read the Apache Stories section and last week, I read the Alaska mythology section. Both were absolutely fantastic! I loved it! What was really cool to see - and I'm pretty sure I mentioned this in my Reading Diary for this week, and possibly in something I blogged about last week - was the absolute love for Nature as a part of the myth. One thing that really struck me was the animals, in particular, are essential and rather sacred to what is going on. This was incredibly cool to see.

Dat Totem

Both weeks, the mythology started with the creation of the earth and different creatures and what was an interesting comparison was the fact that the head god for both stories happened to be a raven. This was really intriguing, especially when in most stories in Western Civilization, ravens symbolize death in some form or fashion. So, seeing them being used to explain life and creation was different, but really cool to see - even more so since both myths followed the same line of thinking. Now, both stories used humans to progress the myth, but I felt they were more thoroughly prevelant in Alaskan myth as opposed to the Apache myths. I wonder if this might be because in Alaska, there is a bigger ratio of humans to animals than when and where the Apache Stories would have been made. This is pure speculation, obviously, but it's something to think about.

Now, I love Nature. Let me emphasize this: I love Nature. So, when myths not only have a desire to explain its creation or how it came to be but also holds it up on a pedestal, it is wonderful! I realize there is some of this occuring through other mythologies, but not to this level, I would argue. For the Apache and some Pagan individuals in the United Kingdom area, the forest - the plants, the animals, trees, wind, everything - is something of a wonder, and is meant to be treated as such. I just think it is really cool to see myths that portray Nature as something more than what is commonly accepted in today's society. I absolutely love that.

Author's Note
This, of course, is an essay over the Apache Stories unit. I really, really enjoyed this unit, and I hope the essay reflects that. Give it a read, if you have the time. Trickster stories are always cool, and the Coyote is definitely that.

Week 10 Storytelling: Spotless

The Coyote was pretty well infamous around the woods. He was notorious for his desire and knack for messing with his fellow animals. In fact, pretty much every other animal hated him for the trouble he would start and the tricks he would pull. However, because of his antics, he couldn't seem to make many friends, or fit in with the others (surprise, surprise). In fact, this was rather damaging to his family and their place in society. He would never admit to it, but this really hurt the Coyote, and so he thought it best if he would find a way to be like the other animals.

His chance came when a well-to-do deer frolicked on by. He thought to himself, "Maybe I could look like that deer, then they might accept me and my family as one of their own!" He caught up to the deer and asked, "Hello, deer. How did you get those lovely spots on your skin? I would like some, myself!" The deer looked at him strangely, expecting a punchline or some cruel jape to come out of the Coyote's mouth. When one never came, the deer thought up an ingenious idea.

"Get a couple of branches and start a fire with them. When the fire is blazing, you and your family need to stand next to it, and the sparks will give you spots." The deer's advice oddly made a lot of sense, so Coyote ran home to his family and told them the good news. "We're getting spots!" he yelped with joy. Everyone in the Coyote's family was excited and got right to work.

Once the fire was burning bright and hot, the Coyote called for his children to get close to the fire to get their spots. However, as they got close, and the sparks touched their skin, the spots were beginning to burn his children's skin. It got to the point where the children were burnt to a crisp, all black and charred. The Coyote howled in anger. In his rage, he grabbed a flaming branch and dragged it across the forest, setting the entire wood on fire.

Coyote Angry

"This will show the deer. This will show them all. This joke will keep them laughing."

Author's Note
I pretty much just recreated the story of Coyote Tries to Make His Children Spotted. The only changes I made were to add an emotional tie to the characters. It almost seems like the coyote is misunderstood, and the deer was just a jerk, because that's how I interpreted the actual story.

Week 10 Reading Diary: Apache Stories

There's that Raven again! What is it with Native Americans and the importance of a Raven? I mean, I think Ravens are a cool bird and everything, but it is their essence of a god-like figure. That's just so strange to me. Anyway, I think the connection I see between these stories and the Alaska stories from last week is really cool, and I'm really enjoying it so far. However, this is not the main reason I decided to take on the Apache Stories. I originally decided I wanted to read them when I read in the description that there was a Coyote the Trickster involved. That has to be a lot of fun to read about, but I wouldn't know because I'm currently stuck with another Raven thing.

Naiyenesgani is an interesting character. He is a strange hero that I didn't expect to come from a Native American mythology because I thought those were more focused on the animals and nature and things like that. I mean, the guy is cool and everything - just not what I expected to read about. Regardless, I am enjoying these stories so far. I don't think this necessarily beats out my love for the Alaskan mythologies, but it is definitely a fun read.

Now, in the second half we get to the good stuff. Coyote the Trickster is at it. Why do I love this character so much, you may ask. Simply put, he's freaking cool. Specifically, the story of "Coyote Tries to Make His Children Spotted". It's incredibly tragic and the Coyote is the one who gets tricked in the story. I also think it makes an interesting case on deforistation. I may have to write my story or essay around this one. It's such a fantastic little tale and I really, really enjoy it. If anyone has a chance to read this one, they would be doing themselves quite a favor.

Now, that I finally got into the goodies that are the Coyote stories, I think I might be loving these stories more than the Alaska ones. Now, don't get me wrong. I think the Alaska stories are way cool and I still can't get over the mythology surrounding death, but these stories are amazing. With both mythologies, there is a deep love of animals and nature, which for a Transcendetalist like myself, is absolutely wonderful to read and enjoy. Anyway, I would definitely recommend these readings to anyone and everyone I know.

Week 9 Essay: Alaskan Afterlife

After reading this unit, I was so blown away by how intriguing the Alaskan view on death was. First, though, I might should back up a bit.

The Alaskan mythology is overall very interesting to read about. It has been one of my favorites to go through so far. Now, what was really striking about the mythology as a whole, was that it felt like a nice cross between Native American mythology and Christianity. There was emphasis on the power of animals and nature which I particularly enjoy as I love animals and Transcendentalism, and the stories reflected similar stories I have seen in Christian stories - I'm looking at you, reoccuring flood motif. Anyway, I think these help the mythology of Alaska flow well and fit in with the other mythologies out there, making it a contender with some of my favorites.

The Alaskan Sky

Of course, back to what sets this mythology apart from all the others: the afterlife. There is only one real story I read concerning this area of spirituality and lore, but it was incredible how it portrayed death. In the story, once you die, you are escorted into the afterlife by the person you last thought of who is already dead. I thought this was actually quite a sweet sentiment. I also thought it was really cool how death ends up being much similar to life. In the story, the girl is sent to live in a home with her grandparents who had gone on before her and they sat a table to eat. Seems quite similar to life on earth.

The other aspect I thought was really cool about it was the fact that if you did something wrong in life, you were sent to an area where things were reversed on you in death. The example given in the story was that there was a village where, if you had been someone who beat dogs (again, emphasis on the importance of animals), you got to receive similar treatment and were beaten like a dog yourself. Sounds like justice to me! I really enjoyed this aspect of the afterlife, especially, since it seems like good and bad people both receive what they deserve. They have to be accountable for their actions and can't escape it in the afterlife. I love that.

Author's Note
In case you did not notice, I really enjoy stories regarding death. I just think it is really interesting to read about what others have believed to be beyond the world we know now and everything. Especially when no one is able to come from the afterlife back into this life and give us the lowdown on what all is going on. The unit I read is the Alaska section.

Week 9 Storytelling: Crossing Over

She was dead. She had to be. There was no way one survives being run over by a train at maximum velocity and only walk away with minor scrapes and bruises. The world looked the same as it did before. Maybe a little darker, but it was hardly noticeable. She sat up on the train tracks and looked around. Everything was so quiet except for the echoing sound of footsteps as if they were being made down a vacant marble corridor. She turned to face her grandfather. Her grandfather had been dead for 5 years. She had been thinking of him just before the train hit, she remembered. That settled it. She was definitely dead.

She took her grandfather's outstretched hand and followed him as he took her towards the town she had just been sitting outside. He spoke not a word, and she asked no questions - too intrigued by the sights in front of her. There were screams coming from the village that startled her. As she and her grandfather entered the town, she noticed there were some people on all four limbs being whipped. What was more strange was the people doing the whipping were faceless. Her grandfather must have noticed her terror because he finally spoke up.

"This town is for Shades who beat animals in their life."

She let out a gasp. The gasp caused the faceless woman directly in front of her to shoot her head up form the job she was doing. Even without eyes, she felt the faceless woman was staring into her soul - which would be all of her considering she was dead. She backed away slowly and followed her grandfather to a river. It sounded like a waterfall with all the echoes coming from the waves. The river was uncrossable, but if they could get across, there was a single hut on the other side that had smoke rising from the chimney.

"Follow me." her grandfather said.

The Land of the Dead

She watched as her grandfather took step after step on the surface of the water. It was as if there was an invisible bridge he was crossing. She followed him across the river. As they walked into the hut she saw a table prepared with dinner and her grandmother sitting in one of the seats. She sat down next to her and her grandfather sat down in the other seat. There was a question burning in the back of her mind that she just had to ask.

"Grandfather, how did you find me as soon as I died?"

"I was the last person you were thinking of, wasn't I?"

She nodded.

"The Shade of the last person you thought of in life is the Shade who guides you to your home in the Land of the Dead. You are now, home. Please, let us eat."

Author's Note
This is obviously from The Land of the Dead. It's an Alaskan myth and I kept most of it intact. I took out some of the things I veiwed as lesser points just to keep the story focused. It's a fun story (yes, I said "fun") to read and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you're looking for any insight as to how the Alaskans think - particularly in regards to the Afterlife. It's pretty cool stuff.

Week 9 Reading Diary: Alaska

The creation story is oddly similar to the creation story in the Christian bible. Except, instead of God, we have a Raven. However, the Raven does very similar things to God. He creates Man, and realizes he is lonely, so creates a companion in the form of Woman. He creates the sun, and the sky, and the sea, and everything like that, as it is what is needed for the men and women and animals to survive. It is interesting to see these parallels, especially with the section that I found to be the most interesting.

The section I am referring to is that one called "The Flood". Sounds like the flood of the story of Noah, right? It is in a lot of ways. Except, instead of people sinning so much that it makes God angry, it seems that Raven is just angry at humanity, with no explanation why. Anyway, there is a flood caused by a lot of rain. It nearly destroys everything until the Raven seems to get so angry with the people who are surviving that he decides to lower the waters. Weird, right?

Also, it should be noted that birds aren't named nor tides created or fire brought about until way later in the story. Like, I'm entering the halfway point, and the birds are just now being named. It seems there are a lot of things that are taking precedence, or at least there is focus on certain animals and situations being created or happening. It just seems that things are going too slow or there is too much to the story, at least in comparison to most myths I have been reading about throughout this semester.

Now, even after that do we finally get to see more women. That's right. Prior to chapter 12 or 13, or whichever it is that I'm on, there has only been one woman. Raven has to create more so the men and sons have companions, as well. It really makes you wonder how these men got around -- or created for that matter. However, the stories do get better as time goes on. The chapter that speaks on The Land of the Dead is actually quite interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend that one to anybody. And frankly, I might have to do my retelling on that story.

Week 8 Reading Diary

From the looks of things, I am relatively satisfied with my Reading Diaries so far. Admittadly, I have missed a step in the process, as I have yet to actually put a link to my stories in the Reading Diary. I didn't know I was supposed to do that! Of course, I'm really bad about skimming over things. I need to go back through all my Reading Diaries and correct this error, which may take a little bit of time. However, that seems to me to be the only thing that is truly wrong with them, after glancing over the instructions for every reading diary...unless of course, I'm missing something else. I should glance over it again...

Moving forward, I think what really works for my Reading Diaries is how much like a diary they come out. I'm really good about thinking out loud, or at least conveying the idea of me thinking out loud, and I think that really shines through in my various Reading Diaries. However, I think I might could try keeping these a bit more focused than they are. I almost feel as though they are too "all over the place" to really be conducive to anything they might be used for.

I think the highlight of any single Reading Diary I do is that I make good use of finding connections with other myths and such as I progress through the semester. I think that helps me understand the class better and is important to future studies as well as how I handle different posts in this class throughout the week. All in all, I enjoy my Reading Diaries, but I sometimes wonder if I should completely revamp some things so that they are of better use to me when I do my essays or retellings each week.