Trickster in American folklore

Abstract

This bachelor work deals with animal short stories in American folklore, namely with Native American and African-American trickster tales. Theoretical analyses of both cultures, backed by text analyses of their trickster tales, indicate the importance of these stories both in the Native American and the African-American oral tradition. American Indian tricksters explain how things come about, and reveal human nature, whereas African-American trickster tales rather focus on keeping hope for better future. Coyote, the most famous Native American trickster, represents a character that is basically selfish, and lives to satisfy his own needs. He also likes to trick and imitate others and, therefore, is disliked by them. Brer Rabbit, on the other hand, is the most famous African-American trickster, who is hardly ever defeated and usually admired by others. Last but not least, Native American as well as African-American trickster tales prove to be very humorous and, surely, provided an entertainment for the people.