Folktales and How They Relate Today

The phrase "Folktales" is rarely heard in today's modern society outside of a classroom, but the storytelling of folktales was one of the first forms of education to most African Americans. African American folktales gives a glimpse into the experience of its writer, serves as an historical record of the writers' culture, and often has a theme of moral conflict; similar to the arts and culture of modern African Americans today. From promoting slaves to seek freedom, to the chants of the civil rights movements; folktales have always been a silent force in African American history. African American folktales have been modernized through several generations, and have influenced several art forms.

Though most can remember the narrator of a particular folktale, often the actual writer is anonymous to their audience; having been passed down through oral narration over the years. These stories usually teach a lesson in life, morality, and in the case of slaves; taught how to survive and make it through their struggles. Lessons learned from folktales often come at the expense of the main character's downfall or success, and were often told in a bold outspoken style. Since folktales often come across as humorous and entertaining, its audience was not really meant for a reader, but more for a listener.

When it comes to folktales, sometimes the moral of the tale is very clear and evident, but often the meaning is cleverly disguised within the story, and left for the reader's interpretation. In Hurston's "Big Talk" the story is clear that two slaves are trying to one up each other and prove they are not scared of "Ole Massa" and the ramifications that may came from their disobedience. However; the story is also a warning about being gullible and trusting others, how a statement can be perceived different ways, and how strong the will to seek revenge can be. The story reads like it is entertainment, and almost a joke; but if heeded "Big Talk" teaches real life lessons. "Big Talk" is also a story of karma, and the notion of what goes around, comes around.

Because slave owners, and future civil rights abusers believed that an educated African American was a scary notion, most education and organization of African Americans were done in secrecy. Though a lot of slaves appeared defeated and meek; their stories and folktales reveal a strong and intelligent society whose talents and ideas were cautiously hidden from mainstream America. The stories of triumphs that traveled from state to state during the abolition and civil rights movements can also be considered folktales. Though most of the stories were true and not fiction, they worked in the same way by educating and empowering African Americans. Civil rights activists in the south may not have acted, had they not heard the stories of success in other states and countries.

These folktales have eventually progressed into poems, nursery rhymes, novels, and music lyrics. Though