Reading Notes Week 7: Brer Rabbit, Part B

I found Part B of Brer Rabbit much more enjoyable than part A because I was getting used to the dialect and style used in the short stories. After reading a few, it became easier to understand what the characters were talking about. In part B, the frogs are introduced. Uncle Remus talks with a gurgle and no one can really tell what he is saying. They are speaking to one another through bubbles, like what it sounds like when you speak with water in your mouth. 

If I were to write a story based off Brer Rabbit, I would either use frogs as the characters, or the concept of a fox and a rabbit. I think it would be interesting for a strong friendship to be formed between two unlikely animals.

In part B Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox are playing tricks on each other. Brer rabbit goes fishing and notices the fox staring at him. He bribed Brer Fox to jump into the well he is fishing out of, so it pulls up Brer Rabbit out and leaves the fox stuck in the water. I thought this was ironic because usually foxes are known for being tricksters, but in this case, the rabbit tricked the fox. 

(Photo by: A.B. Frost)

Bibliography: Brer Rabbit by Joel Chandler Harris

Reading Notes Week 7: Brer Rabbit, Part A

The first thing I noticed when reading the story was the unique dialect. I found it difficult to read so I read some of it aloud and listen to the rest with the audio recording provided. Even the recording spoke in an accent when reading quotes from the characters. Without it, I don't think I would've understood much of the story at all. My favorite part about this story is Brer Rabbit's sassy attitude. I think it is kind of ironic how the main characters of this story are a rabbit and a fox, since these two animals clearly don't get a long very well. I was also confused why every animal had the term "brer" in front of it in the story, so I looked up the meaning of brer and found out it's just an informal title, similar to the term brother. I like how all the characters in this book are animals, but with human characteristics (the ability to speak to one another). 

I liked the story "Why Mr. Possum Loves Peace" the best out of all the stories in part one. Brer possum played dead when avoiding a situation he didn't want to be a part of and he gets in an argument with Brer Coon (a raccoon). 

Brer Rabbit 

(Photo by: A.B. Frost) 

Bibliography: Brer Rabbit by Joel Chandler Harris