Thousands of Nights’ Worth of Culture
Literature is the very embodiment of the written word. From aspiring to delve into complex themes through invigorating language to tackling controversial topics in the hopes to provide wider senses of sociological awareness, the element of literature is prevalent all around. On a global scale, literature can inundate its readers with different views of culture and a prominent example of this is Tales From 1,001 Nights (aka Arabian Nights or The 1,001 Nights). This combination of Middle Eastern stories culminates not only a vivid expression of culture but also a unique glimpse into the perspectives of views at the time. Furthermore, inspiration that originates from these tales not only impacts other forms of literature, such as poems, but also modernized day-to-day life.
The stories from 1,001 Nights are articulated in such a method that vast perspectives and expositions of Mideast customs instill world-wide impacts. Let’s look at one of these tales, shall we? This select one being (keep in mind, this is inclusive of the stories of each dervish) The Porter and the Three Ladies. Set in Baghdad, within the peak of the Islamic Golden Age (8th — 9th Century), the recount happens to be one of the older stories within the original manuscript. Now what draws attention to this story is that is more likened to a multitude of narratives in where the overall structure is chronologically scrambled to reveal the whole plot only at the end. Moreover, The Porter and the Three Ladies can be considered to enact as a smaller module of the overall book: Tales From 1,001 Nights, as it is consdered to be a frame story. It follows suit regarding the fact that the reciting of tales ultimately l eads to an end resolution but also that each “sub-tale” (or one story following another) holds their own meanings and morals. For the book in general, we see Shahrazad apprise each story in such a way that hints at an ideal leader’s qualities, and our select story attributing to one of them. In this case The Porter and the Three Ladies, draws on the idea of how too much curiosity may lead to The Porter and the Three Ladies unwanted outcomes. What allows this tale to hold such a great level of attention is that it relates to this modern trope of Curiosity Killed the Cast in where people such as the Porter do almost lose their, due to them not being able to “speak not of what concerns [them] not, lest [they] hear what pleases [them] not.”
Wow, that’s a lot of nots. One could say that The Porter and the Three Ladies is a story tied up in “nots”. You know? Since it consists of entanglement and jumble of stories. No one? Ok, moving on then…
Delving beyond the lines of The Porter and the Three Ladies, the tale elicits varying prospects and opinions on the more cultural aspects. This is exemplified through both themes and actions featured in said tale as well as the characters. There is the constantly prevailing theme of not just this focused story but the novel as a whole — magic and sorcery. Whilst it may not be the marveled mechanics of Harry Potter universe, there is a sense of incantation that runs through the story line, ranging from The Fisherman and the Ifrit, with the Ifrit itself, to Aladdin, with its renowned genie and magic lamp. It’s literary works like these that help us understand the beliefs were valued at the time. As a reader of 1,001 Nights, it becomes obvious that the idea of enchantment was significant to the Middle East at the time. This and others can additionally be observed within many of the characters within The Porter and the Three Ladies, most noticeably in the origin stories of the three ladies and dervishes.
Another view into Mideastern culture is its diversity within the setting of Baghdad — expressed via the involvement of these aforementioned dervishes. Their way of life was rather isolated when compared to the prioritized Islamic influence of the city. They were, more or less, spiritualized Muslims on a quest for close encounters with God, and due to this, many adopted a nomadic lifestyle, shaving their heads and facial hair while disobeying Islamic cultural traditions. Historically “these dervishes, like the ones in the story, enjoyed wine, music, and sensuality.” The narrative indicates that the other characters are wary of dervishes’ peculiar way of existence portrayed by the likes of porter who claims that the dervishes brought ill luck when the festivities started to go south. The Porter and the Three Ladies is a story that homes in on many perspectives of culture and thematic values, such as the controversy of cultural variation and the prominence of magic.
It is important to note, however, that some of these cultural impacts (much like the celebrations in the story) have the potential to go south. Islamic journalist Katherine Bullock expresses these concerns through her exposition of incepted “oriental” stereotypes. Touching on the idea of not only cosplaying as but also blackfacing as Aladdin, a character that derived from the tales, she focuses on how ideas that were presented within the story “draws on hundreds of years of anti-Muslim sentiment in western culture.” Yet, an interesting point she brings up within her account, is the fact that the story of Aladdin was never originally in the primary set of Arabian tales. Rather, instead, it was “inserted into the collection by [a] French translator.” The addition of the story “became a phenomenal success,” but it brings forth the motion as to how big of an influence was extra-cultural interpretation and inference did foreign translators wield when transcribing the original stories.
Extending on the topic of Aladdin, what about the two recent feature films that have been adapted on from the past few decades? With the animated (1992) and live action (2019) following the same story line, how did the original tale of Aladdin, correlate to these motion pictures. When reading the original, the main thing that pops out straight away, is that it is less, well, Disney. Alongside the change of setting, with the folk tale holding presence in China whereas the movies established in the a Middle East, many dissimilarities are portrayed. In the prior-said tale, there is no colourful opening, just a sad boy’s backstory who posed as a disappointment. Even with the element of genie in play, it’s all very intimidating and sudden rather than a fun and relaxed Will Smith. Now, I could go on about the differences between the two, but the centralised takeaway is that in more modern times, folk tales such as Aladdin have been censored towards a younger audience with less vulgar contents.
Another work inspired by the constituents of The 1,001 Nights is Alfred Tennyson’s poem Recollections of the Arabian Nights. Now, already from the title, a direct connection can be identified, indicative of how even in the 19th centuries, these Arabian tales were distinguished. Two perspectives of culture can be observed from this poem. Historically, Tennyson was the position of England’s Poet Laureate (a politically appointment poet set to compose poems for special events & occasions ). Having the fact that Tennyson wrote this poem in particular instils a sense of England’s appreciation towards for foreign works of art and literature. This can still be seen today (as to whether these works have been stolen or not? We do not talk about it.) Within the poem itself Tennyson illustrates a rather beautiful concoction of imagery, exhibiting the exuberance of luxuries delineated within the stories of the Arabian Nights, conclusively encouraging the reader to not only understand but to be in awe of how beauty and its significance in Mideastern culture.
As cheesy as it may sound, literature is a gift to the world that keeps on giving as long as the written word exists. It has held a level of sway that affects the globe’s populous, with one of its more renowned fabrications being Tales From 1,001 Nights, denoted by dint of historically cultural themes such as the emphasis of magic alongside overarching values such as the acceptance of diversity and differences. As for me, since reading some inspired articles as well as the Arabian stories themselves, I have learned to implement a more open view towards life and other cultures. And whilst I am do not follow Islamic beliefs to a deep value, the beliefs which the tales have epitomized have allowed me to realize that there are cultures out there that contains similarities (I.e., Allah — Arabic, & and Jesus/God). From this, despite being brought up in a fairly religious household, I have been able to hold high levels of respect for other culture’s beliefs. Now, how has the intercontinental contribution of literature affected you?
Sites Used:
https://screenrant.com/aladdin-biggest-differences-disney-movies-made-original-folk-tale/
https://kwilaye.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-story-of-porter-and-three-ladies.html
https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Arabian-Nights/the-porter-and-the-three-ladies-summary/
https://theconversation.com/how-the-arabian-nights-stories-morphed-into-stereotypes-123983
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45387/recollections-of-the-arabian-nights
https://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/content/recollections-arabian-nights
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Thousand_and_One_Nights
