| Studying folk narratives is an inventive approach into the doorway of culture. This study examines Cajun stories in order to see how they reflect the values and identity markers of the group.The review of the history and folklore of the Cajun people confirmed the uniqueness of this Louisiana culture's heritage. Theories of cultural identity and Cajun identity in particular revealed the importance of understanding the formation and consequences of strong cultural identities and value systems. These identities affect the formation of national character and national stereotypes and illustrate the sources of problems with cultural stereotypes.Theories of folklore and folklore analysis provided an introduction to folkloristics and a foundation for using folkloric and sociopsychological analysis as the basis for the analysis of Cajun stories. Through these types of analysis, the stories were examined within the culture, looking specifically at the value system. The study examined social patterns and how the individual (or story character) fits these patterns since identity and cultural values are faces of social and psychological principles. This method examined the world view and values underlying the stories.The methodology included a two-month research project in Cajun country, and involved dialogues with 14 experts on the culture, literature and folklore. These dialogues sought to confirm the cultural values that had been elucidated in the literature. The five over-arching Cajun identity markers isolated were individualism and egalitarianism, attachment and loyalty, Joie de Vivre, respect for the supernatural, and adaptability and pragmatism.No causative relationship was found between theme and identity markers. The themes of these stories did not illuminate the markers. They are separate ways of defining and clarifying the stories.The main conclusion was that the world view and the values of the Cajun culture are reflected by the stories. The markers and values representative of the culture are persistent and pervasive throughout the stories. This material is valuable in the study of multicultural literature. One can take a peek into the core of the culture through the stories they provide a window into the soul of the culture. |
