Andrew Elaryan's Mythology and Folklore Blog

The Danger of a Single Story - I totally agree, we are very impressionable as children and even alter and falsify the world around us to fit the media and stories that we consume. While this can be a healthy imaginative exercise, it also holds the potential to create disillusionment with our situation in life. - She isn't saying to read stories that are directly related to you. Rather, she says to, in a way, diversify your storybook portfolio and be exposed to multiple varieties of literature. Make sure you read stories which may shed some light on your own life and culture, but also read the other stuff to get a wider view of the world around you. - I believe that you can do all the research in the world on culture, but you will never understand it unless you go there and meet its people. Stories are amazing, but can only take you so far. Hearing from other peoples' accounts, no matter if it is a single story or numerous and diversified versions, will always include a le...

Story source:  The Arabian Nights' Entertainments  by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898). Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp Not Getting the Hint: In the 2nd part of the story, Aladdin sleeps in the bed with a frightened princess. That's kinda creepy. It seems like he does not have any game at all. Overuse: Every time Aladdin uses the lamp or the ring I get a feeling that he's overusing it. Neither Genius never says anything about there being a limit to the number of wishes that he'll grant, but maybe there is. Also, how is the vizir the only person who thinks that Aladdin is using enchantments? You would think that some random tailor's boy being able to do all of this fantastic stuff and instantly build a window that not even the sultan could be a dead giveaway. In Plain Sight: Why would Aladdin keep the lamp, his source of power, just laying out? Like at least put it in a drawer or something. Aladdin seems like a person who got to much power t...

Story source: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898). Scheherazade It Doesn't Work Out: So basically Scheherazade is planning on stalling the Sultan by telling stories. However, what if her plan doesn't work? Her plan requires her sister to wake up an hour before and say a specific line to her. What if the sister is fast asleep? What if the sister forgets what to say? What if the king just does not oblige her request? That would be interesting to see if Scheherazade has a backup plan or not. Filibuster: Her strategy reminds me of a filibuster in Congress. A filibuster is when somebody wants to postpone a vote on a bill so they just talk and talk and talk so that nobody can vote, as they are by law not allowed to be interrupted. I think that the longest filibuster is 24 hours long. Sen. Bernie Sanders engaging in a filibuster. Source:  Wikimedia Implication: It seems that through these stories, S...