African American Storytelling: Traits of a Trickster Character

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/18/11

African American Storytelling: Traits of a Trickster Character

            A Trickster character is a mischievous figure in myth or folklore that typically make up for physical weaknesses with cunning and subversive humor. The Trickster alternates between cleverness and stupidity, kindness, and cruelty, deceiver and deceived, breaker of taboos and creator of culture. In other words a Trickster always finds its way to get out of an unwanted situation by outsmarting people or using tricks. A Trickster acts on behalf of his own personal benefit. Nevertheless, some of character traits of a Trickster are:

·         Fearless

·         Optimistic

·         Creative

·         Cheater

·         Successful

·         Intelligent

·         Daredevil

·         Trouble maker/laughs at trouble/ enjoys trouble

·         Quick mentally

·         Selfish

In conclusion, Tricksters teach us lessons. So, at the end they are not all ba