Category Archives: Legends

Narratives about belief.

Bloody Mary

Story

“My favorite ghost story has to be the one about Bloody Mary. My mom would always tell me to stop looking in the mirror for so long growing up because Bloody Mary would jump out and pull me into the mirror. I also heard about it, though, at sleepovers growing up, and my friends would tell me that if you stand in front of the mirror and say her name three times, she would jump out and scratch your eyes out.”

Context:

My informant has heard this ghost story in two different settings. From her mother, she heard this legend as a warning to quit looking in the mirror. She heard a slightly different version at various sleepovers when she was younger, however, that suggested that you had to actively summon the ghost. My informant claims that doesn’t believe in this ghost story, but she still thinks about it sometimes when looking in the mirror. 

Final thoughts:

My informant’s relationship with this legend is proof of how legends can be twisted slightly when passed around. Despite minor discrepancies in the different Bloody Mary stories, they all share the common themes of fear and mirrors being used as portals. Her mother’s use of this legend shows how ghost stories can be used to warn children to obey their elders’ suggestions out of fear. 

Bell Witch

Story
“I’m from outside of Nashville Tennessee, and a few times growing up we went to this cave near our house called the Bell Witch cave, and it’s named after the Bell Witch, which is like a mix between a ghost and a curse. It’s based on the Bell family, whose house was haunted. In their house, they always heard strange noises and voices and things would fly off shelves and stuff.  The legend says there was a spirit who was angry with the father and wouldn’t leave until he was dead. When he died, everyone said the Bell Witch poisoned him. When you go to the cave, everyone says you can hear his voice or even see his shadow” 

When asked if they thought the Bell Witch was real, the informant said “I mean I went several times when I was little and I never saw or heard anything, so I don’t, but there are some people who swear on their lives that they’ve seen him, so who knows.”

Context

As previously mentioned, my informant grew up near the cave where this legend is based. This legend is common knowledge in the area where she is from, but she claims that she does not believe that the legend is true. 

Analysis
The Bell Witch is an example of a legend that is closely associated with local history and a specific geographic location. Because it is a ghost story, people’s belief in its legitimacy is often dependent on their experience in the cave. If they have been to the cave and witnessed paranormal activity, they would likely believe it to be true. Similar to my informant, however, if you have not seen or heard the ghost, it is likely difficult to believe it is real. 

The Man with the Gold Arm

Story:

“My favorite ghost story is about this man who had an arm made of gold, and after he died, someone stole it, so his ghost came back to haunt the town, searching for his arm. He would sneak into people’s houses late at night looking for it, so supposedly you would wake up to someone saying “where is my golden arm?”

Context:

My informant said she grew up going to camp in rural Texas, and a lot of the counselors would tell their cabins this story. My informant remembers being scared to go to sleep at camp when she was young. She would stay up and night listening for the man’s voice. 

Analysis: 

This ghost story is an example of legends passed around at camps through oral storytelling. It is about getting justice from beyond the grave and is designed to evoke fear. This legend could be used to teach a lesson about stealing. 

Spanish Ancestry and Family Heritage (Family Legend)

From My Informant:
 “A family story that has been passed down is the arrival of our Spanish ancestors to Mexico, many of whom were captains or individuals looking for a place to build a better future during the 1600s and 1700s.”

Context:
My informant first became deeply interested(not to say that they weren’t already) in their family history about two years ago, prompting discussions with multiple relatives including their grandmother, parents, aunts, and uncles. These conversations typically took place during family gatherings, celebrations, or holidays—occasions where stories naturally emerged. My informant described the storytelling experience as mixed; while some family members enthusiastically shared memories with vivid hand gestures and smiles, others were notably reluctant, withholding details and even disputing certain aspects of the family narrative.

The lack of visual documentation, such as photographs, due to limited access to early cameras, meant that the oral storytelling tradition became especially significant within my informant’s family. This storytelling environment revealed family tensions and differing attitudes towards their Spanish heritage, often highlighting discomfort with aspects of colonization and historical relations between Spain and Mexico.

Analysis:
My informant’s story underscores the complex interplay between personal identity, cultural heritage, and historical memory. The reluctance of some family members to share certain aspects of their past reflects broader cultural and historical anxieties about colonization and identity in the Hispanic world, particularly between Spain and Mexico. This family legend serves as both a repository of familial pride and an uncomfortable reminder of historical tensions associated with colonization.

Family narratives, such as the one with my informant, are vital in preserving cultural identity and transmitting intergenerational memory. They provide individuals with a sense of belonging, shaping their understanding of their heritage and personal identity. My informant’s effort to uncover this history indicates a desire for deeper personal connection and cultural awareness, despite potential familial resistance or discomfort.

Although my informant did not feel completely comfortable with sharing their family’s “baggage” with the outside world, they ultimately wanted their narrative to highlight the importance of preserving familial stories, regardless of their complexity or discomfort, as a means of fostering cultural pride and a deeper understanding of personal identity. This storytelling practice serves as a vital link, connecting past generations to future ones, enabling individuals to grasp their cultural and historical roots more fully.

John Henry and Labor Exploitation (Legend)

Informant’s Story:
 “John Henry was a steel driver who, in a legendary contest against a steam-powered rock drill, died victoriously with his hammer still in hand, his heart giving out from stress.”

Context:
My informant first encountered the story of John Henry at about age six during elementary school. They vividly recall a subsequent encounter around age eight, when an episode of “Transformers” mirrored the themes of John Henry’s legend. In this episode, a Transformer, superior to all others, eventually triumphed, but at the cost of losing its humanity. This resonated deeply with my informant, “I feel like my heart got ripped out.” For my informant, the robot became a powerful metaphor for John Henry, emphasizing the importance of choosing one’s battles(They were 8 and loved Transformers, you cannot judge them too much).

My informant critically observes that contemporary adaptations, notably Disney’s portrayal in animated films and theme park attractions like Splash Mountain, tend to simplify or romanticize the story. Such retellings, they argue, overlook the harsh realities and exploitation of labor that underpin the legend. My informant’s insights reveal a nuanced understanding of the legend as something more than a story of human triumph; rather, it is a stark reminder of labor struggles and the human cost behind industrial progress.

Analysis:
The legend of John Henry embodies significant historical and cultural anxieties surrounding labor, industrialization, and human endurance against mechanization. My informant’s interpretation, while acknowledging the heroism in John Henry’s resistance, emphasizes the tragic futility inherent in competing against relentless technological advancement. This perspective challenges the common narrative framing John Henry solely as a triumphant hero, instead highlighting the exploitation of labor and the inevitability of human limitations when pitted against industrial machinery.

Furthermore, the legend’s enduring popularity, despite its darker implications, reveals deeper cultural tensions regarding the value of human life and labor versus technological efficiency and progress. The “timelessness” of the story, as identified by my informant, derives from its persistent relevance to ongoing dialogues about labor rights, automation, and social justice. This legend thus serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful societal change requires collective action rather than individual sacrifice alone, reinforcing the essential lesson to “pick your battles” wisely in the face of unstoppable forces.