Fairy tales and folk tales, such as “The Fisherman and the Jinnee” from The Thousand and One Nights, are common in human culture because they provide hope in dark situations and reveal the inherent fear of death. Humans try to look for positivity in even the darkest of times just as in “The Fisherman and the Jinnee.” For example, even when the fisherman is not having any luck catching anything, on the last cast, he brings in a golden lamp, giving him hope for a better daily income. Another example of hope is given in “The Fisherman and the Jinnee” with the physician who cures King Yunan. When hope is lost and the King thinks he is about to die, Doctor Duban comes through and cures him. The king is so eager to hear about hope for his life as
…show more content…
“The Fisherman and the Jinnee” point out two different situations in which death is feared. The first encounter of death comes from the Jinnee when he is released from his lamp and announces he must kill the one who freed him. The fisherman begs and pleads for the Jinnee spare his life: “Spare me, mighty jinnee, and Allah will spare you; kill me, and so shall Allah destroy you!” (Dawood) The fisherman mentions the wrath God, a transcendent reality that controls all life, as means to threaten the Jinnee if he were to continue with the murder. His pleas and threats are proof that no one wants to die, and fear is brought about when the possibility rises that one’s life may be in danger. The fear of death is brought about again when the the King of Yunan sentences Doctor Duban to death. Repeatedly, we see the same plea for life: “Spare me, and Allah will spare you! Kill me, and so shall Allah kill you!” (Dawood) The petition for life is honored when the higher authority of “Allah” is used as leverage in the plea. Furthermore, it exemplifies the desire of life over death. In both circumstances, the fisherman and the doctor use a higher authority as means to bargain for their lives. The barter for life, in fairy tales and folk tales, point out the innate fear of death that everyone bears. “The Fisherman and the Jinnee” from The Thousand and One Nights and other common folk tales
“The Fisherman and the Jinnee” point out two different situations in which death is feared. The first encounter of death comes from the Jinnee when he is released from his lamp and announces he must kill the one who freed him. The fisherman begs and pleads for the Jinnee spare his life: “Spare me, mighty jinnee, and Allah will spare you; kill me, and so shall Allah destroy you!” (Dawood) The fisherman mentions the wrath God, a transcendent reality that controls all life, as means to threaten the Jinnee if he were to continue with the murder. His pleas and threats are proof that no one wants to die, and fear is brought about when the possibility rises that one’s life may be in danger. The fear of death is brought about again when the the King of Yunan sentences Doctor Duban to death. Repeatedly, we see the same plea for life: “Spare me, and Allah will spare you! Kill me, and so shall Allah kill you!” (Dawood) The petition for life is honored when the higher authority of “Allah” is used as leverage in the plea. Furthermore, it exemplifies the desire of life over death. In both circumstances, the fisherman and the doctor use a higher authority as means to bargain for their lives. The barter for life, in fairy tales and folk tales, point out the innate fear of death that everyone bears. “The Fisherman and the Jinnee” from The Thousand and One Nights and other common folk tales