Problem
I. Think of "My Lord Bag of Rice" as an historical artifact. What does your reading from of this folk tale tell us about the time period in which it was originally told and re-told? What can we learn about the people who loved (and still love) this tale? What can we learn about what the people feared? Refer to some specific details from the tale to support your answer.
II. Folk tales can tell us a LOT about the mores and perspectives of people who lived long ago. Girls and women were expected to be obedient, prioritize duties and responsibilities to their families, and abide by social codes of femininity and subservience. Knowing this, why do you think the story of "Nya-Nya Bulembu" was a commonly told folk tale that has perservered? Refer to specific details from the tale to support your answer.
III. We LOVE the thought of mermaids. After reading the legend of "The Mermaid's Lake," explain why you think the possibility of mer-folk is such an endearing fascination. What does this ancient folk tale tell us about human beings' long-lasting preoccupation with the idea of people who can live under the ocean? Be specific and refer to some details from the tale.
IV. Reflect for a few minutes on all three pieces of literature for this week, and contemplate about how these pieces of art and cultural productions can act as historical artifacts. Then, the space below, a brief paragraph explaining why it is important to study very old literature. What can old literature tell us about history, people from older time periods, and what was important to them. Be specific and refer to details from the pieces of literature.