Reading Notes Week 15: Russian Folktales, Part B

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Witchcraft (Wikimedia)

Reading Notes Week 15: Russian Folktales, Part B


·        Right off the bat the people are audacious. Creepy start.

·        And it only got crazier with a death woman walking around town and forcing people to get into coffins if she looks into their house at night. Insane setup

·        Not sure what to make of this line: Never fear, master! ‘Without God’s will, no pig gets its fill!’” Might have to do some research on that.

·        This Cossack has some insane bravery to just be cutting a witch’s arm off who kills everyone with a shaker.

·        This is an intense witch story that I’m not sure if even Salem stories could match. I like this story and there is potential here for retelling by adding more detail and exposition to the crazier parts. Possibly even telling the story through the witch’s perspective, or the mother’s perspective. Could also add more dialogue to drive the plot rather than manly action prose. More imagery around the Witch and her appearance, more tension leading up to her appearing, more tension leading up to him cutting her arm off. All of these could be good additions.

·        Found it odd that the girl was laying on top of the stove and the mother didn’t even seem phased. Nor did she seem phased that her daughter’s arm had been cut off. Overall, probably not the best guardian.


·        Interesting start to the story, really like that it is told through the experience of the priest’s son passing by.

·        How did this granny know that and not share the information with anyone

·        What an absurd thing he has to do, how does the granny not just say don’t do it.

·        What a wild ending to the story. Tons of potential for added descriptive imagery of the horrors she performed or through telling from different POV’s

Bibliography 
Russian Fairy Tales by W. R. S. Ralston


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