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John Henry: The Legend of a Steel Driving Man
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John Henry: The Legend of a Steel Driving Man
By Phetslat Carlton
About John Henry
About
The story of John Henry, a former slave who worked on building railroads in the USA. The legend tells of his incredible strength and his race against a steam-powered hammer, which he ultimately won, but at the cost of his life.
Inspiration
John Henry's story inspires us to be strong, to stand up for ourselves and our communities, and to fight for what we believe in, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Valuable lessons
Teachings
The story teaches us about the power of unity, cooperation, and solidarity and how it's possible to make a difference even in the face of great adversity.
Endure
Endurance
The story of John Henry endures because it highlights universal values that any culture can relate to, such as strength, courage, determination, and human dignity.
Origins
American Railroad Industry
History
The story comes from the 19th century when railroads were being constructed rapidly across the USA. It likely originated from the oral folklore of laborers, possibly African American, who worked on the railroad.
Authorship
Author
The author of the story is unknown. It's possible that there never was an original author, and the story evolved through the oral tradition of storytelling.
Cultural Significance
Culture
The story of John Henry is a crucial part of African American folklore and history. It highlights the endurance, resilience, and strength of Black men and women during grueling work conditions.
Language usage
"Steel Driving Man"
Language
The term "steel driving" refers to manually hammering steel drills into rock to create holes for explosives. This was a dangerous, difficult, and prestigious job that required exceptional strength and endurance.
Ballad
Song
The story of John Henry is often told through a ballad, a form of narrative song that originated in the British Isles. The ballad typically has strong rhythms, repeated refrains, and tells a story through song.
Picture
disclaimer: not actually John Henry
Engaging the Audience
Oral
Performance
The simple structure, the repetitive elements, and the use of music in the ballad make John Henry a compelling story for all ages. The storyteller must bring the audience into the world of the story, encouraging them to participate and take an active role.
Adding Music
Music
The ballad of John Henry is often sung, adding music to the story's rhythm and tone. The musician must choose the right tempo, tone, and instrumentation to match the mood and themes of the story.
Gestures and Movement
Story turned into
life
As a storyteller, we can use gestures and movement to enhance the story's impact. They can create characters with different physicalities and use space to contrast the story's moments of stillness and action. Such as the physique of John and how he would be protrayed as when he would interact with others.
Voice and Tone
A storyteller must choose their voice and tone carefully, to reflect the mood and atmosphere of the story. For example, John's supposed toughness, and endurance. They can use different tones to differentiate the characters and evoke emotions in the audience. Such as John Henrys roughness and strifes throughout the story.
Engaging the Senses
Using sound, smell, touch, and taste, the storyteller can engage the audience's senses, bringing them into John Henry's world. They can create a sense of atmosphere, time, and place, and allow the audience to experience the story more vividly. Such as what John ate, see what he was feeling, and the time period he was in.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Remembering John Henry
Conclusion
Through the story of John Henry, we can remember the contributions of the Black workers who helped build America and how they fought against oppression and injustice.
A Hero
A Modern Hero
John Henry's story is still relevant today, as we continue to struggle with issues of race, labor, and inequality. The legend of John Henry reminds us that the fight for justice never ends.
Refereces
References
The Legend of John Henry
Channel, S. (2014, February 18). How John Henry became an American folk hero. Smithsonian Institution. https://www.si.edu/object/how-john-henry-became-american-folk-hero%3Ayt_-Y55gSYyam8
Ballads and Folklore
Green, A. (1968). Recording Laboratory AFS L61 Railroad Songs and Ballads. Washington; Library of Congress Washington. https://www.loc.gov/folklife/LP/AFS_L61_opt.pdf