Author Archives: Quinn Blades

Out with the Old

Nationality: Peruvian
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: San Francisco
Performance Date: 4/25/17
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

The interview will be depicted by initials. The Interviewer is QB and the interview is VS.

It should be noted that this is a continuation of a prior interview.

VS: If you want to travel then you take an empty suitcase that you carry around the house or the block. And then we take 12 coins and throw them out of the house to get rid of debt or old stuff.

Analysis: These are quite literal things for the family to do on New Years. Following the idea of “out with the old and in with the new”, the student and their family seem to literally remove old belongings from their home in hopes that a new fortune can help them in the upcoming year.

Chinese New Year Fish Tradition

Nationality: Chinese American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: Georgia
Performance Date: 4/25/17
Primary Language: English
Language: Mandarin

The interview will be depicted by initials. The Interviewer is QB and the interviewee is CH.

 

QB: So what was this superstition you were talking about?

 

CH: Um…its really simple actually. On Chinese New Years, we eat a whole steamed fish, including the head to symbolize the circle of life…I think it’s the circle of life.

 

Analysis: There are many rituals and superstitions for the Chinese New Year, many of which may seem bizarre to Americans. However, this one the student seemed eager to share and proud that the family utilized all of the fish on the evening. Even though it was to support the circle of life, the student seemed more impressed that they used all of the fish rather than the meaning.

Virginia Witch Windows

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Corona, CA
Performance Date: 4/25/17
Primary Language: English

The interview will be depicted by initials. The Interviewer is QB and the interview is JT.

 

QB: Wait…wait…can you explain that last tale one more time?

 

JT: Yeah…so…basically I have a cousin who lives in Virginia, and they have diagonal windows on their houses that they call “witch windows” because it was believed that witches weren’t able to fly their broomsticks into the home that way. And I think they have like 2 or 3, so its kind of crazy how big that following is.

 

Analysis: Here we see the succession of folklore spreading throughout the US. Even though the student is from California, they have become an active bearer of this folklore as they tell people about a situation that never took place in the state. However, it is also interesting to note that the student’s cousins house still has the diagonal windows. So many years later and it is still common knowledge around Virginia.

Black Cat

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Carona, CA
Performance Date: 4/25/17
Primary Language: English

The interview will be depicted by initials. The Interviewer is QB and the interview is JT.

 

QB: Any other superstitions your family follows?

 

JT: Yeah, it is super cheesy but the whole black cat crossing the road is pretty big with us too. One time I remember my mom and I literally went…like…15 minutes out of the way just because of one stupid cat. While I’m at school I don’t follow it, but whenever I am home it certainly happens.

 

Analysis: Even though the student doesn’t seem to take it seriously, it is interesting to note that the student still participates in the superstition with their family. They do admit to not doing it while out here at school, but the belief is so strong at home they continue the tradition.

Korean Cinderella

Nationality: Korean
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: South Korea
Performance Date: 4/25/17
Primary Language: English
Language: Korean, Vietnamese

The interview will be depicted by initials. The Interviewer is QB and the interview is SH.

QB: Alright! Do you have anymore that you can remember?

SH: Yeah, there’s like a Korean Cinderella and its called “kunji patel” and its about these two girls and its exactly what you think when you think of Cinderella. The mother passes away and Kunji’s mom dies and she goes to the river to talk to her mom often. But her dad marries this horrible step mother and her step sister. And her step sister is just horrible to her and um Kunji is obviously very sweet. And she will go to the river to cry to her mom, and her mom gives her strength. And then she ends up going back to heaven with her mom.

Analysis: While it shares many traits with the popular Disney Cinderella, it takes a different route at the end. There are obvious symbolic messages as Kunji goes to the river, but the story also seems to show the importance of a girl and her mother’s relationship as the ending might suggest it was better for her to go than to stay.