Br'er rabbit

Definition

Br'er Rabbit is a central character in African American folklore, particularly in the Uncle Remus tales. He is often portrayed as a clever and mischievous rabbit who uses his wit and intelligence to outsmart larger animals, reflecting themes of resistance and survival among enslaved African Americans. The character embodies the clever trickster archetype, making him culturally significant in the context of African American oral traditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Br'er Rabbit tales were originally part of West African oral storytelling traditions and adapted into Southern American folklore after the transatlantic slave trade.
2. The character of Br'er Rabbit symbolizes the ingenuity of African Americans in overcoming oppression and adversity through intelligence rather than brute strength.
3. Br'er Rabbit's encounters often involve classic elements of folktales, such as moral lessons that convey important cultural values.
4. The stories of Br'er Rabbit were popularized in the late 19th century through Joel Chandler Harris’s collections, bringing African American oral traditions to a wider audience.
5. Br'er Rabbit's most famous story, 'The Tar-Baby,' illustrates themes of entrapment and escape, highlighting the importance of quick thinking and resourcefulness.

Review Questions

• How does Br'er Rabbit represent the cultural significance of African American oral traditions?
  • Br'er Rabbit serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and cleverness within African American oral traditions. His character reflects the struggles faced by enslaved people, using wit to navigate a world dominated by more powerful adversaries. The stories often carry moral lessons that resonate with themes of survival and resistance, making Br'er Rabbit a central figure in preserving and sharing cultural heritage through storytelling.
• Discuss the role of Uncle Remus in framing the Br'er Rabbit stories within a larger literary context.
  • Uncle Remus acts as a storyteller who presents the Br'er Rabbit tales to a white audience, creating a unique cultural exchange. Through his narration, these stories are given a platform that both preserves African American oral traditions and introduces them to mainstream American literature. This duality raises questions about representation, authenticity, and how folk tales can be co-opted or appreciated by different cultures while maintaining their original significance.
• Evaluate how the character of Br'er Rabbit reflects broader themes of resistance found in African American literature.
  • Br'er Rabbit embodies themes of resistance that are prevalent in African American literature, especially through his cleverness in overcoming challenges posed by stronger foes. By using his intelligence instead of force, he reflects the real-life strategies employed by enslaved people to cope with oppression. This character showcases how storytelling can serve as both entertainment and a means for expressing deeper social commentary on power dynamics, survival, and cultural identity within the African American experience.

Related terms

Uncle Remus: A fictional character created by Joel Chandler Harris, who serves as the narrator of the Br'er Rabbit stories and represents a bridge between African American oral traditions and white literary culture.

Trickster: A common figure in folklore known for their cunning and ability to outsmart opponents, often challenging the status quo and showcasing themes of resilience and cleverness.

Folktales:

Traditional stories passed down orally through generations, often containing moral lessons, cultural values, and reflections of the community's experiences.