Joel Chandler Harris Brer Rabbit And The Tar Baby
Joel Chandler Harris was an American writer known for his Uncle Remus stories, which featured the animal characters Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear. These stories were based on African-American folktales that Harris had heard in his childhood. One of the most famous Uncle Remus stories is "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby."
The Story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby
The story begins with Brer Fox, who is tired of Brer Rabbit always outsmarting him. So, he decides to make a Tar Baby to catch Brer Rabbit. He makes a figure out of tar and puts it on the side of the road. When Brer Rabbit comes by, he greets the Tar Baby, but the Tar Baby doesn't respond. Brer Rabbit becomes angry and hits the Tar Baby, getting his hand stuck in the tar. Brer Rabbit then hits the Tar Baby with his other hand, getting that hand stuck as well. He tries to kick the Tar Baby with his legs, and they also get stuck.
Brer Fox emerges from hiding, delighted that his plan has worked. He taunts Brer Rabbit, but Brer Rabbit uses his wits to trick Brer Fox into throwing him into the briar patch, where he is able to escape.
The Symbolism of the Tar Baby
The Tar Baby in the story is often interpreted as a symbol of racism and oppression, with Brer Rabbit representing the African-American community. The Tar Baby is a trap laid by Brer Fox, representing the white oppressors who sought to ensnare and control African Americans. Brer Rabbit's eventual triumph over the Tar Baby and Brer Fox represents the resilience and resourcefulness of the African-American community in the face of oppression.
The Legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and Brer Rabbit
Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus stories have had a lasting impact on American literature and culture. The stories have been adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and stage productions. The characters of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear have become iconic figures in American folklore, and the stories continue to be read and loved by children and adults alike.
However, the Uncle Remus stories have also been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes of African Americans. Some have argued that the stories' portrayal of Brer Rabbit as a trickster perpetuates the stereotype of African Americans as untrustworthy and dishonest. Others have pointed out that Harris's decision to write the stories in dialect reinforces negative stereotypes of African-American speech and language.
Conclusion
Despite these criticisms, the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris and the Uncle Remus stories remains a significant part of American culture. "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby" continues to be one of the most popular and enduring Uncle Remus stories, and its message of resilience and resourcefulness in the face of oppression remains as relevant today as it was when the story was first told.