Revision of The Same Waters, Different Land

       The stories “Little Cog-Burt” and “Cotton Candy” both take place in the Caribbean, though on different islands. Therefore, it would be safe to say the stories involve people who were colonized by other world powers. The island of Dominica in "Little Cog-Burt" was settled by the French and then later the English. This is different than Cuba, featured in the latter story, which was colonized by Spain.

       An ocean separates the two islands, which accounts for difference in attitude, as well as subject matter. For example, in “Little Cog-Burt” we are thrown into a scene where the characters are

struggling to communicate and exist with the other inhabitants, with race playing a part in the tension. Richard, one of the main characters, wants to keep to traditions in order to better the morale of his plantation workers. A hint of seclusion is depicted throughout the story, but most clearly at the Christmas party. At this party we see the workers sitting in silence to a point where a pessimistic character, who didn't even want to have the get together, began to make attempts to liven the scene up. All of this differs from the story “Cotton Candy”, which expresses an attitude quite different.

Even though both stories were told, and or written, around the same time period, the feeling of division and dread are almost lost in “Cotton Candy”. We experience more of a community in the

story. We hear of children and their exchange of puppy love. An unlikely friendship, based on a business transaction with a local prostitute, helps showcase the lack of seclusion in the story. This also shines through as the story progresses and shows the main character interacting with everyone at her new job at the zoo. They all seem to enjoy one another's company and feel almost like a family, as seen in the playful teasing of the main character.

Even racial tensions appear to be flipped with the main characters of the two stories. “Cotton Candy” ends with the main character, who can be assumed to be Cuban, fawning over a black man who seems to flirt with her. This interracial attraction differs from what is told to us in “Little Cog-Burt”, where one of the English main characters often displays disdain towards what she calls the “dark” children and their parents. These stories can not speak for every aspect, situation, or person surrounding their originating islands, however they are an example of how storytellers from the same region but different islands lived in two different worlds.

*Stories taken from the collecting Green Cane and Juicy Flotsam

The Same Waters, Different Land

       The stories “Little Cog-Burt” and “Cotton Candy” both take place in the Caribbean, though on different islands. Therefore, it would be safe to say the stories involve people of similar ethnic backgrounds, outside of indigenous islanders of course. This does not mean the cultures and experiences of the two islands match, as an ocean separates the two islands.

       It only makes sense that most of their stories would differ as well, not only in attitude but subject matter. For example in “Little Cog-Burt” we are thrown into a scene where the characters are

struggling to communicate and exist with other inhabitants. Some of it due to racial issues. With one of the main characters Richard wanting to keep to traditions in order to keep morale within his plantation. A hint of seclusion is depicted as well in this story, as a christmas party sat in silence to a point where a pessimistic character, who didn't even want to have the get together, began to make attempts to liven the scene up. All of this differs from the story “Cotton Candy”, which expresses an attitude quite the opposite.

       Even though both stories were told, and or written, around the same time period, the feeling of division and dread are almost lost in “Cotton Candy”. We experience more of a community in the

story, as we hear of children and the exchange of puppy love. An unlikely friendship based business transaction with a local prostitute helps showcase the lack of seclusion in the story, compared to “Little Cog-Burt”. Especially as the story progresses and shows the main character interact with everyone at her new job at the zoo. They all seem to enjoy one another's company and feel almost like a family, as seen in the playful teasing at the main characters expense.

       Even racial tensions appear to be flipped with the main characters in the two stories. “Cotton Candy” ends with the main character, who can be assumed to be cuban, fawning over a black man who seems to flirt with her. This interracial attraction differs from what is told to us in “Little Cog-Burt”, where one of the English main characters often displays disdain towards what she calls the “dark” children, as well as their parents. Though these stories can not speak for every aspect, situation, or person surrounding their originating islands, they are an example of how storytellers from the same region but different islands lived in two different worlds.

*Stories taken from the collecting Green Cane and Juicy Flotsam

A Devil's Meal

         Like most stories that are to be told to a vast audience the funeral story "Tétiyette and The Devil" uses poetry with a dash of fantasy elements to express it's message. Likewise, the story uses poetry and repetition to not only make it memorable, but to make it understandable and easily interpreted for an audience likely of different backgrounds and origins. This is usually the case in most of the Caribbean, and especially in Guadeloupe from which this story is said to be from. The repetition comes into play not only with the anonymous authors rhythmic lines, such as "Oh, Mama! Oh, Mama! Bel-air drum! / The man to whom you married me, Bel-air drum!", but also with constantly repeating the main characters name throughout the story. This repeat of the name could be assumed to be a beat placement or crowd interaction point, but it is also likely that the constant use is to essentially etch parts of the tale into the audiences mind.

        This story is told with talking animals as the suitors. This not only grabs the attention of children but also expresses a metaphor to be analyzed by the more mature listeners. And, it seems to convey a warning for women of all ages, as it tells of how a "devil" managed to nearly take the life of a young girl. As she would tease possible husbands with her best silver cup, or perhaps showed her worth, but denied all of them. She would find petty reasons for why she did not find them

appealing. Finally a man showed up wearing beautiful clothes and gold, and she found this acceptable and quickly married this man. Unfortunately this great looking man became abusive. Her mom tried to warn her, but she was enamoured and would not leave him. Until one night it became to much and she cried out for help but no help came. As her dad replied "Agh! I don't give a damn! I had already warned her to beware." 

So perhaps one should take head of peoples advice or they may ignore you when you realize they were right. 
          Do not worry though as the story offers a ray of hope, as finally Tétiyette's brother comes to her rescue. As he pulls her from the bowels of her demon, this offers the listeners who may be in the same boat some hope and a message. Do not give up because all it takes is one person to pull you out of this darkness, once the person themselves has decided they need out. However, it also gives the audience something to think about, for while the other men in the story might have had minor flaws they may have treated her better. It also shows that the man who showed her what she wanted, wealth and riches, only put on a display to draw her in and trap her. Young women may stop and consider that what we see on the outside does not always match what is on the inside, what is gold may not always shine.