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Author
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Comment
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Otherworld
Registered User
(1/16/03 4:13:05 pm)
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magical barriers to prevent capture
Hi folks
Conversation last night with flatmate led to us trying to remember tales with the hero/heroine throwing things behind them at the final chase to prevent capture... the twig becomes a forest etc
the 2 stories we came up with were "Battle of the Birds" [celtic] and "The singing ringing" [german?] can any one think of any more?
thanks
otherworld
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Helen
Registered User
(1/16/03 4:53:02 pm)
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Re: magical barriers to prevent capture
Many Russian fairytales feature this motif: look for tales with Baba Yaga, and, frequently, this structure will pop up.
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Judith
Berman
Registered User
(1/16/03 8:39:06 pm)
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Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwi
There are several versions from the Kwakwaka'wakw and maybe also Heiltsuk (Native American, North Pacific Coast) where the so-called Cannibal spirit (Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwi) pursues the hero who throws behind four objects that transform into mountains, river, etc. Can't give you the exact reference without books I don't have, but look in Boas.
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Grindlegutz
Registered User
(1/17/03 3:46:02 am)
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Re: Baxwbakwalanuxwsiwi
I remember an Irish folktale where the hero throws a comb behind him that turns into a forest.
Chinese vampires cannot enter a house that has rice scattered about it until they pick up all the rice.
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artsfan
Unregistered User
(1/19/03 7:14:42 pm)
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in reply..
Speaking of Vampires, in Bram Stokers Dracula, lucy and Dr. Van Helsing circle themselves with salt or garlic i'm not sure, in order to keep the vampiresses away. Also, I think that salt was used on witches to keep them away as displayed in Hocus Pocus.
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Otherworld
Registered User
(1/23/03 3:00:37 am)
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Re: things thrown behind
Thanks folks,
the ones I'm really looking for are the things thrown behind that magicaly change... like the comb to forest.... pepple to mountain etc,
not that the rest are not as interesting
ta
otherworld
[martin]
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Ys
Unregistered User
(1/23/03 10:14:27 am)
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Objects thrown
I remember a story I read long ago, in which the hero had problems with the Devil and was helped by his daughter... They threw three things behind them when they fled (if I'm not mistaken):
- a brush -> a thorny forest
- a soap -> a lake
- a razor -> mountains
I know there is a story alike in the Lang's fairy books. I just need to find it again...
Hope it helps
Ys
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Ys
Unregistered User
(1/23/03 5:52:39 pm)
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In the Lang's fairy books...
I'm sorry, I was mistaken... In the Lang's fairy books, the heroes themselves changed into the obstacles. The only thing used is the gold cross when they turn themselves into a church...
Ys
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