Reading Notes: Russian Folktales, Part B

The Warlock

This is apparently the "Grand Warlock of Wikipedia," but I like to imagine that the warlock in the story looked somewhat like this.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Observations:

• The language used here is very old-timey. Not all the language is necessarily like that, but there are certain parts that I would not know without looking them up
• Okay but why did he have to be watched over after he was dead? I feel like there is more cultural context needed here
• Also, why was it the wives that had to watch over him?
• So were warlocks not part of the Christian faith? It is an oddly specific request to not want a cross near or around you at all, especially after you are already long dead
• Um, why is he speaking to the daughter's from the grave? Also, why did she answer?
• I do like the dialogue tactics used here though. The ways the dialogue is repeated throughout the story is something I know I have noted before, but I truly do want to try to emulate in this week's writing.
• I do enjoy the slightly spooky element that is happening here. It seems like these are common themes in Russian folktales that I enjoy
• I would like to try to use the subtle spookiness present in this story in my own writing
• I tend to be overt in all my writing, so trying to be subtle would be a welcomed challenge
• Oh no. Again, I do not think I have ever written about a character dying, although I am surprised that I have not. I would like to try to do this I think!
• I like the idea that the writer introduced something that just seemed a bit odd in the beginning, like the fact that he did not want to be near a cross or have his daughters in law sport one. This element ended up being a key part in the story. I think that is something good writers do often. I would like to try to sneak something in my stories like this and then have it be extremely important in the end. It feels fun.

Overall I enjoyed this story a lot! It was spooky and fun while still being short. I thought the writer did a good job bringing in subtle elements that were super needed for the ending. I think I will re-tell this story this week!

Bibliography:
Russian Fairy Tales by W. R. S. Ralston (1887)

The Warlock