Reading Diary B: Eskimo Folk Tales

(The Wife Who Lied)

Table of Contents

The Wife Who Lied is probably the most intense story I have read. There are Native Americans, way back when, that do eat people. This was a story about a whole tribe that did attacking one that didn't. The reason they attacked is because the main woman said her husband had done her wrong to he original tribe. So, her tribe went and killed all of her husband's tribe's wives. The main woman lied though so her tribe killed her. The thing that stood out to me the most in this story is the detail. It makes you think that this actually happened. Moving on, I believe this story was written as a message. This story is supposed to send a message to be careful of your actions because you never know what the repercussions might be. 

Pâtussorssuaq, Who Killed His Uncle is another very intense story. The most interesting thing I find about this story is how moral beliefs align with quite a few other beliefs in stories we've read already. Specifically, the belief I am talking about is karma. So, a man kills his uncle because he wants his wife. That man gets killed for his misdeed by his amulet which is a fox and bear. So, this reminds me of the stories from the Eastern part of the world that incorporated hinduistic ideals (karma). In a way, it's like they are all connected somehow. These stories, although intense, are great examples of how never to treat people. 

Reading Diary A: Eskimo Folk Tales

(makite)

Table of Contents

Makite 

Makite was very interesting. A Native American, Makite, decides to go live on his own, but encounters another man. This man wanted to kill Makite. Makite escaped though. Finally, Makite went and fought with some dwarfs. The thing I found the most interesting about this story is how much detail it held. You could tell that this story has been passed down from generation to generation. People I am sure say, "How could one believe in this?" I'm also sure that's what people say about me and my beliefs. Who really knows? My professor is Cherokee and he speaks of "little people" like the dwarfs in this story. He says they roam around and he is one-hundred percent serious. So, I find the content and detail extremely fascinating. 

The Giant Dog

This story was interesting. There is a giant dog given an amulet that protects it from death. The dog terrorized inland-dwellers and killed many of them. The dog also killed the mightiest dogs that the story says were "big as bears." I would be really afraid myself if I saw that! so, the most interesting part to me is that inland dwellers, from what I have learned in other classes, really are still afraid to this day of dogs. You want to know why this is so? It is because of these tales like The Giant Dog that have been passed down through generations. So, as crazy as some of these stories sound, they have a real impact on many. 

You see, I love dogs!