Tales from the 1001 Nights (Alf laylah wa laylah)

History

- Earliest mention = 9th c. A.D. (ca. Same time as Koran; Mohammed dies 632 A.D.)

- National origin(s):

a translation of a group of Persian stories (which themselves incorporated Indian stories), a Baghdad layer and a Cairo layer.
i. a Persian core “The Thousand Stories” (Hazâr Afsânah);
ii. an Arabic version of this; iii. the frame story of “The Thousand Stories” with new Arabic stories added to it;
iv. a late Fatimid version (twelfth century); v. the Syrian recension whose sixteenth century manuscript was the basis of the first European translation

- French translation in 1704

- Names:

1001 not literal = ‘a lot’
a.k.a. Arabian Nights

The Jinn

- Example of syncretism (fusion of two differing belief systems)

- Jinn originated (as with the type of fairy called Peri) in Indian and Persian mythology. Legend dictates that the jinn were created from fire, predating Adam by 2000 years. A jinni could assume any form it liked, and could make itself invisible. By cunning a man could manipulate a jinni for his own purposes. They are fabled to dwell in the mountains of Kaf which encompass the earth. Their kingdom is also known as Djinnestan. The evil jinn are hideously ugly, but the good are incredibly beautiful.

- Islam subdivides spiritual beings into angels malaikah (made from light), demons shayatin and jinn (made from fire).

- Koran - e.g. sura 34 verse 11:- "And unto Solomon did we subject the wind, which travelled in the morning a month's journey, and a month's journey in the evening. And we made a fountain of molten brass for him. And of the Djinn were some who worked in his presence, by the will of his Lord; and such of them as swerved from our bidding will we cause to taste the torment of the flame."

- Muhammad appears to have considered Eblis (or Satan) to have been of the jinn - sura 18 verse 48:- "When we said to the angels, 'Prostrate yourselves before Adam,' they all prostrated them save Eblis, who was of the Djinn, and revolted from his Lord's behest."

Key Terms

- Frame narrative

- Fable

1. A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.

2. A story about legendary persons and exploits.

3. A falsehood; a lie.

OED FABLE

a. F. fable (OF. also flabe, fauble, Pr. faula) ad. L. fbula discourse, narrative, story, dramatic composition, the plot of a play, a fable, f. fr to speak: see FATE.]

1. A fictitious narrative or statement; a story not founded on fact.

2. A short story devised to convey some useful lesson; esp. one in which animals or inanimate things are the speakers or actors; an apologue. Now the most prominent sense.

3. [After Latin fabula.] The plot or story of a play or poem. Also (rarely), a dramatic composition, play.

- Fairy Tale

1. A fanciful tale of legendary deeds and creatures, usually intended for children.

2. A fictitious, highly fanciful story or explanation.

Common Elements of Fable / Fairy Tale--> a.k.a. motifs, or repetitive, recurring themes, symbols, and forms

- Universal qualities

- Timelessness

- Generality of place

Opposition: city and nature

- Teach some kind of moral

- Protagonist is a teenager

- Protagonist takes a journey

- Protagonist is given a boon

Myth as a Ritual of Maturation (Joseph Campbell)

- A young man leaves his home, which is now destroyed because the biological father is dead

- A substitute father figure may exist (uncle)

- As the young figure meets obstacles, he gains helpers along the way.

- A rebirth occurs

- The young figure is now ready to become a father himself—a man.

The Silk Road

Discussion L. 5

Discuss the first two (and, if you have time, the third) questions in a group. Find specific passages to underscore your answers. Then, analyze the technical aspects of these passages. For example:

Techniques for How Fables Convey Moral Lessons:
- Repetition / emphasis

- Symbolism (the lamp)

- Juxtaposition

- Word choice

- Audience awareness

I. What specific moral lessons might "Aladdin" teach its readers?

II. How does Aladdin’s story relate to Shahrazad’s storytelling?

III. What examples of syncretism do you see (particularly at the end of the story)? What do these examples tell us about the audience for “Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp”?

Tales from the 1001 Nights (Alf laylah wa laylah)

History

- Earliest mention = 9th c. A.D. (ca. Same time as Koran; Mohammed dies 632 A.D.)

- National origin(s):

a translation of a group of Persian stories (which themselves incorporated Indian stories), a Baghdad layer and a Cairo layer.

i. a Persian core “The Thousand Stories” (Hazâr Afsânah);

ii. an Arabic version of this; iii. the frame story of “The Thousand Stories” with new Arabic stories added to it;

iv. a late Fatimid version (twelfth century); v. the Syrian recension whose sixteenth century manuscript was the basis of the first European translation

- French translation in 1704

- Names:

1001 not literal = ‘a lot’

a.k.a. Arabian Nights

The Jinn

- Example of syncretism (fusion of two differing belief systems)

- Islam subdivides spiritual beings into angels malaikah (made from light), demons shayatin and jinn (made from fire).

- Muhammad appears to have considered Eblis (or Satan) to have been of the jinn - sura 18 verse 48:- "When we said to the angels, 'Prostrate yourselves before Adam,' they all prostrated them save Eblis, who was of the Djinn, and revolted from his Lord's behest."

Key Terms

- Frame narrative

- Fable

1. A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans.

2. A story about legendary persons and exploits.

3. A falsehood; a lie.

OED FABLE

a. F. fable (OF. also flabe, fauble, Pr. faula) ad. L. fbula discourse, narrative, story, dramatic composition, the plot of a play, a fable, f. fr to speak: see FATE.]

1. A fictitious narrative or statement; a story not founded on fact.

2. A short story devised to convey some useful lesson; esp. one in which animals or inanimate things are the speakers or actors; an apologue. Now the most prominent sense.

3. [After Latin fabula.] The plot or story of a play or poem. Also (rarely), a dramatic composition, play.

- Fairy Tale

1. A fanciful tale of legendary deeds and creatures, usually intended for children.

2. A fictitious, highly fanciful story or explanation.

Common Elements of Fable / Fairy Tale--> a.k.a. motifs, or repetitive, recurring themes, symbols, and forms

- Universal qualities

- Timelessness

- Generality of place

Opposition: city and nature

- Teach some kind of moral

- Protagonist is a teenager

- Protagonist takes a journey

- Protagonist is given a boon

Myth as a Ritual of Maturation (Joseph Campbell)

- A young man leaves his home, which is now destroyed because the biological father is dead

- A substitute father figure may exist (uncle)

- As the young figure meets obstacles, he gains helpers along the way.

- A rebirth occurs

- The young figure is now ready to become a father himself—a man.

Discussion L. 5

Discuss the first two (and, if you have time, the third) questions in a group. Find specific passages to underscore your answers. Then, analyze the technical aspects of these passages. For example:

Techniques for How Fables Convey Moral Lessons: - Repetition / emphasis

- Symbolism (the lamp)

- Juxtaposition

- Word choice

- Audience awareness

I. What specific moral lessons might "Aladdin" teach its readers?

II. How does Aladdin’s story relate to Shahrazad’s storytelling?

III. What examples of syncretism do you see (particularly at the end of the story)? What do these examples tell us about the audience for “Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp”?

Techniques for How Fables Convey Moral Lessons:
- Repetition / emphasis