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The sources of the old tales of Jack and Mustmag are the mountain people who were the bearers of th tales in an unbroken line of cultural transmission going back hundreds of years, were of the generation of great-grandparents to the present generation of school children. sit it is fair to say that the children in urban schools in Covington and the Greater Cincinnati area who are descended from Appalachian Mountain people "own" this cultural tradition. They are heirs to a folk tradition that is ancient. In the past twenty years especially, African-American and Native American Appalachian peope have vigorously brought forth their unique art, lore and stories. Scholars have shown that folk tales from all curlral tradtions bear common motifs. One the most prominent of these motifs is the questing hero, usually a young girl like Molly or boy like Jack who is summoned to begin the great journey toward adulthood. Enroute the young person must overcome many obstacles, survive many dangers, meet many challenges and learn many lessons. Jack and Molly's qualities include intelligence, courage, cleverness, generosity, integrity, versatility, adaptability, a talent for "figuring things out," and an elemental connection to the natural world and its forces. Jack and Molly are universal archetypal figures. Every culture has its version of their essential story. Jack and Mustmag as we know them in the Appalachian region is from the ancient Celtic tradition. These characters fit into two categoreis - - a trickster figure or a fairytale hero. They are in their brightest aspect as Tricksters. They overcome hardship by their wits and integrity. As fairytale heroes they survive with the help of the natural world and using their innate "supernatural powers" or their relationship with the animals and plants. Jack and Molly can both communicate with the natural world. In Appalachia Jack Tales, the stories usually center on poverty, harsh working conditions and being "on their own." Jack and Molly always triumph and are generally rewarded with gold. The figures of Jack and Molly have many aspects and are the brightest aspect of Trickster. Trickster has his own lore and literature in many cultures. Jack and Molly are rooted in a tradition that is a grand world tradition. A Trickster is an archetype found in many cultures and spiritual traditions around the Earth. They appear as spirits, gods, animals and people. They usually appear when a person or community is stuck psychically or materially. This entity arrives or even rises out of our own midst to act as a catalyst for change. This catalyst may be tricks played on us, asking the right question at the right time; calamities that make us act in a different way; introduce new ideas or energy into a situation. Trickster can be a dangerously cunning, mean, sometimes foolish, jokester and troublemaker. He is one who can force us to turn our "lead into gold." Trickster appears in:
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