Porto Rican Folklore

Although there were quite a few allusions that I wasn't familiar with, I enjoyed reading the piece by Peter. J. Hamilton. I found it to be very interesting and informative.  What I found to be most interesting was the diversity in the culture, belief, symbolism and folklore that exists on one island. Many tales are presented in the piece my favorite by far is the one that explains why the dog, cat and rat don’t get along. I feel that it represents the very essence of folklore, explanations within a culture for the way things are in nature. It shows how a simple tale can be so telling of a certain group’s values and principles. Hamilton’s very detailed description of the Porto Rican culture generates a sense of homeliness, no matter who the reader. It gets one thinking of his/her own customs and beliefs.  Another thing that caught my attention was that two of the beliefs/superstitions mentioned in the piece are ones I heard growing up: killing white spiders is bad luck, and dreams present the reverse of what is to happen in the future, this proves that different cultures can have very similar superstitions.  Hamilton’s work also gives insight on the background of the folklore presented in the Three Wishes, like how he speaks of the origin of  witches in Porto Rican folklore. 

The Role of Fables in Human Life by Edward Clayton

         In his paper Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human Life, Edward Clayton goes about building a very strong argument proving that the purpose of Aesop’s fables is more than that which is understood at first glance. He is very lucid in explaining that fables were not just written as factual cautionary tales. What Clayton ultimately gets to in his article is that we as human beings are capable of being as wild, untamed, and unreasonable as animals and due to this similarity in our nature Aesop’s fables can be enlightening at times.  According Clayton, fables are to teach humans that unlike any of the other animals we are capable of reason and understanding and have a sense of justice. Furthermore, given that humans have such capabilities we shouldn't behave like the fable animals when in similar circumstances.

        I find Clayton’s argument to be very persuasive for the way it is written, with countless examples and a clear flow of ideas. However, I feel that his interpretation of the role that fables play in human life is not one that is so popular. The reason being that, what he supposedly says the fables are intended for just isn't the immediate reaction that people have to reading a fable. I feel that most people that are presented a fable react by saying “so true!” According to Clayton the part of a fable that is most important is that animals are the main characters, but I think most people almost immediately associate the characters (animals) in the fable with themselves or other people in their lives. I think that people are already aware that they can be just as nature driven as the other animals; this awareness is so fundamental that I don’t think it’s paid much attention to and definitely isn't at the forefront of one’s mind when reading a fable. I think that the majority of people reading a fable just look at it as yet another portrayal of how nature operates.