Informational

Proverbs as we remember, whether they come from the Bible, “Big Mama” or our “Sista’ Cousin” always have a purpose and usually a deep meaning. During any given conversation you will hear a proverb or two and to some a proverb is artistic because it has poetry, rhythm and rhymes. The basic reason and purpose of a proverb is to teach; specifically to teach a life lesson. Life lessons in the Proverbs of Solomon, are a teaching tool from God, with words of wisdom about human behavior.

The following African proverb is familiar to many with credit usually given to Hillary Clinton who used several African proverbs in her book, “It Takes a Village”.

“It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Which means: The society where the child is living, has the responsibility for the moral characters it creates and everyone in a community should be responsible for helping to train a child irrespective of who the parents are offering correction where they are needed.

Another is: Ran does not fall on one roof alone. Which means: Trouble comes to everyone at one time or another. Either one of these can be used to advise a generation or both of these can be applied to many people especially in describing a rule of conduct that should be applied.
Every cultures on this planet has proverbs that are associated with and come from wise men and women. In African cultures it would be a wise man/woman to say one but it is “unacceptable” to tell an African proverb and still be the one to explain the meaning.

The Ballad of Casey Jones

The information regarding this ballad originates from medieval French dance songs (Jacobs) with its function as a process for telling a story in a song is Scandinavian and Germanic (Housman). Types of ballads or classifications of them are traditional, broadside and literary. In America there are Irish, European, British, Native American and African-American versions of this genre. Characteristics of African-American ballads is a combination of blues, folklore, African narratives, and some urban settings. This genre was popular for roughly 40 years from 1885 to 1925. Rap music today even has properties of the ballad genre.

My focus is on a ballad of K. C. Douglas: “Cassie Jones”.  Douglas is a Black vocalist on the song, who was born in Mississippi, moved to California as a young man and lived there the rest of his life. “Casey Jones” was originally recorded acapella and is based on a real character, of the same name, who is said to have wrecked his train. “Casey Jones” was copyrighted by a white songwriters Lawrence Siebert and Eddie Newton, in 1909 and published as “The Only Comedy Railroad Song.”  Siebert and Newton’s song is alleged to have been based on an earlier composition by Wallace Saunders, a black railroad worker (Pearson). The song Casey Jones gained renewed popularity in the 7O’s with country rock group the Grateful Dead who revised the song for the prevailing culture of the day.

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

This genre would appeal to children 8 years old and up and who may or may not be questioning their faith, conditions, their heart and why people are different. In the book, Catherine is taking care of her brother David who has a disability; he is Autistic. Events in the summer causes Catherine to have some intimidation partially as a result of an encounter with Jason who is confined to a wheelchair. He is deformed and cannot speak. His way of communication is with word cards. Catherine has spent time showing her brother how to behave the best way she can and to try to acclimate him into society. She attempts to teach him rules such as "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" and to "keep your pants on in public". Taking care of her brother and meeting Jason gets her to focus and take a look at her own behavior towards people who are different; and she asks herself a basic question which is, What is normal?

Gulliver’s Travels, whose full title is Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World; In 4 Parts.

Originally published: October 28, 1726 by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver’s Travels (Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World) has Lemuel Gulliver telling the story of his life where in the beginning he studies medicine under an assumed name, becomes a surgeon, travels on ships and later resides in London. On another sea voyage that he thought would be his last, the ship hits a storm and the crew is lost. Gulliver swims to shore, falls asleep and wakes up to little people tying him down. Gulliver living among the little people is different and diverse with conflict. They all persevere and they all go home.

Gulliver’s Travels is a fantasy, but also an adventure story, a satire, and a fable. The original had no illustrations. However, through the years there have been many adaptations of this story. Even though this fantasy novel has four parts, what is remembered by most is the first part which has always been made into a Hollywood movie. The movies are nothing like the book.

How does this explore the satire of politics and colonialism in England at the time when this book was written? During this period Europe was powerful while England was small. What did England have that was more significant the Europe’s power?

Activities would align with Saint Leo value of Respect because the book shows that size and power is relative. That power in a society is guided by what is right. The author Swift also suggests that in regards to the many interpretations of the Bible does not mean that any one interpretation is either right or wrong.

Gulliver’s Travels is a fascinating read. It’s about power, a person’s limitations, diversity, cultural differences and above all respect for others. It has many plots but the book teaches about sympathy, to not criticize or judge and to keep in mind that another person’s difference is not to be ridiculed.

Swift, J., & Williams, S.H.H.  (19965). Gulliver’s travels: 1726 (Vol. 11). H. Davis (Ed). Blackwell.

Elijah of Buxton

Elijah of Buxton as a historical fiction novel tells the story of an African-American born during the time when few of them gained their freedom and most during this era were still slaves. Elijah was special, his mother referred to him as “fra-gile.” Elijah was born as the first free person in Buxton which is a settlement in Canada specifically for runaway slaves who had escaped from the United States. A story that circulated was that Elijah vomited on the head of Frederick Douglas when he tossed Elijah in the air. The story grew and changed throughout time and this was a part of Elijah’s notoriety in addition to being the first free person born of that generation. Elijah’s other talent and accomplishment was the ability to kill fish by hitting them in the head with a rock, usually with one blow. Another issue with Elijah is that he scared easily. Elijah has friends that ranged from a not so religious preacher and his best friend Cooter who leads an adventurous life still of danger.

Jersey Devil

The legend of the Jersey Devil is said to be a dragon-like creature, with the head of a horse, a snake for a body with bat wings. It is alleged to live in southern New Jersey in the NJ Pine Barrens. This creature has caused panic but to some think if they see it would be a sign of good luck. The legend came about because a mother cursed her 13^th child before it was born. The woman, Mother Lees supposedly signed the life of the unborn child to the devil.

The few illustrations of the book are a few ink drawings with some black and white old style photographs. Folklore is prevalent in the book, The Jersey Devil. The preservation of this folklore resulted in the production of a movie. A woman in Leeds New Jersey in 1735 gave birth and during labor allegedly says “May the Devil take this one!” Legend has it that the baby turned into a monster with the head of a collie, the wings of a bat and feet like a horse. Other stories about this legend describe other variations of the New Jersey Devil.

Has there been any other siting’s since the last which was in 1859? Are there any newspaper articles to validate or substantiate any other Jersey monster myths and legends?

This particular legend doesn’t hold up to the Saint Leo core value of Respect because of the demonic factor in it.

As I was researching this genre I was quite fascinated with how a legend so unbelievable can be believable enough to have people pass it down. This went beyond family to family. This legend seems to have been passed down from families of the entire state of New Jersey.

The day the crayons quit

1               Duncan, a little boy just wants to color and his crayons appear to be on strike. Each color indicates through letters to Duncan complaints about what their specific color is can do or their restrictions.

2               This genre has a little bit of everything. It is an imaginative story set with the crayons acting like people. The picture-book has the crayons expressing in a way that just doesn’t happen.

3               Having children come up with their own stories via letters using different color crayons . Another activity could be a scrap book children’s own illustrations to match the colors they use.

4               The Saint Leo core value are felt is the reading for it does not appear to be profane, is geared to children for it allows them to be just that children. It teaches respect for the individual character and respect for the diversity of each character illustrated, the crayons.

5               The day the crayon quit, by Drew Daywalt with illustrations by oliver Jeffers is very funny and is obvious with the first page. So much that human’s do is accepted and taken for granted. What is our cars quit, or animal (our pets) refused to be loving. What if doors opened when we wanted to or not. How about all of these sending us letters complaining about what they do for us and hao0w much we take them for granted. It would be both funny, mysterious and alarming.

6               Daywalt, D. (2013). The day the crayons quit. Penquin.