The Means of Escaping Hierarchical Supremacy as Depicted in Select Black Vernacular Folktales

An analysis of the black folktales in the vernacular reveals the desire of the blacks to escape from social responsibilities, political domination, spiritual conflicts, physical violence, family commitments, punishment and ultimately slavery itself. Among these, escaping the hierarchical supremacy enjoyed by the whites ranks supreme. The black trickster tales of the vernacular literature are a good example for this. In such tales, various animals are employed to typify various characters and characteristics. In these tales, trickery is a common feature. Weaker animals trick stronger animals and thereby escape torture and dominations. The blacks, by coupling trickery with other means, try to escape from various dominations. Most of these tales were told during slavery and therefore serves as a major critique of the racist society. The blacks sought to escape from those who were placed at a higher position by the social hierarchy. The means they sought to escape are discussed below.