Reading Notes: Eskimo Folk Tales, Part B

(Inuit Man 1906: Wikimedia Commons)

Papik
It’s interesting how Ailaq’s mom kills herself to avenge his death. I feel as though she could have gotten back at Papik some other way.
Papik dies in such a gruesome way, but I could see it coming.
I like how this is like a ghost story one would tell kids to make them not kill others.

Patussorssuaq
The theme of both of these stories has been envy. I could incorporate envy into my own retelling if I choose to retell this story.
He kills his uncle pretty early in the story which surprised me.
I wish the story explained how he ended up with his uncle’s wife. It just happened without any explanation and then she dies.
Another theme is murderers being punished for their deeds.

The Wife
It’s crazy to me how one person could start a war between tribes. It reminds me of Helen from The Iliad.
She suffers a pretty terrible death because of the war she started by lying. I could try to think of a way to incorporate this into a retelling.

The Eagle

It’s funny how the brothers suggested the sisters marrying an eagle and a whale because they get swept away by them. I could see the brothers freaking out after this happens.

This story ends abruptly and I am not sure what the point of it was.

Atdlarneq

The fact that he had to keep eating reminded me of a scene from the movie Matilda where one of the kids has to eat a whole chocolate cake as punishment. I will probably retell this story with that movie 

as my inspiration.

Angangujuk

I don’t like how angry his father gets at the mother for losing him. I understand that he’s your son, but you shouldn’t threaten to kill your wife. I don’t really know the point of this story either.

Atarssuaq

I like how the son avenges his father’s death. Overall, I liked the story because of how amazing the son is at diving, but I do not think I will be retelling this story. 

Tungujuluk

I honestly did not like this story because it didn’t really tie the loose ends. Saunikoq tried to kill Tungujuluk’s son but he never even found out. I wanted there to be some intense battle, but instead Tungujuluk basically just played a prank on him.

Kanagssuaq

This story has a really nice ending because the favor is paid back, but I didn’t really like the story as a whole. I do not think I will be retelling this story. 

Bibliography: Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knud Rasmussen with illustrations by native Eskimo artists (1921).