In class, when we discussed the John Henry Legend, the point was brought up that did it matter if john henry was real or not? I thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion, that no, I really don't think that it matters that he is real.
I think he is kind of the "ideal worker," like we have the "ideal male nude" in the art world. I think he is the personification of the ideal male worker for the time. That he is not one man, he is a little of every man. He lives in every man's spirit. He is the compilation of the best traits of man: dedicated, hardworking, intelligent, loving, faithful,... the list goes on.
It is more important to tell the story, and learn from the story than to get caught up in the details. The story is about man versus the machine; this fight is never ending. It will always be man versus the machine. It will just be different men and different machines. The reader or listener should learn from John Henry to stand up for what you think is right, work hard because you will be remembered for it, and that man can win the battle against the machine.
Another point was discussed: is it important that he died at the end? Or would the story have been just as successful if he lived? I think it is important for the story that he died because it is the ultimate sacrifice. He worked so hard that it killed him. I also think it made him more of a hero. If he would have beat the machine and lived, I think people would have forgotten about him. But because he died he will always be remembered for his sacrifice.
In my opinion, John Henry is just a legend. He embodied too many heroic traits, I believe, to possibly be real. But that is okay. It is more important that people believe in his spirit than in his existence.
Sarah,
I totally agree with you. I can understand for historical purposes that someone may want to know if John Henrey was a real person or not. BUT WE WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW! So what is the point in racking our brains or arguing about it. The point is made...end of story. He was a strong person who believed in himself. The story should give us a heroic figure to look up to. There are plenty of stories out there (I.e. the boy who cried wolf) or sayings (I.e. Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we first start to deceive) that teach us a lesson. The purpose is to make us stronger and better people. If this legend serves the purpose, whether John Henrey is real or fictitious is irrelevant. The story is trying to tell us to NEVER GIVE UP!
But isn't it important just to ask those questions, Jennifer? In asking questions like this, we make the work richer for ourselves, either way we perceive the characters.
Posted by: Amanda at December 15, 2004 1:23 PMtell the story not jut talk about it
Posted by: Bob camell at February 10, 2005 3:59 PMsometimes I wonder, in life if one is so big or fast that storys get out, then after death ones story grows big vary fast.
Posted by: shawnee s at June 11, 2005 3:49 PMMy Granddaughter dreams about John hitting her in her sleep or awake. Please explain, We try to kill him many times and he keeps coming back. She is only 3 years old. Brown hair tall and he keeps hitting her. Where would she get the name John Henery?
Thank- you Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn at September 22, 2006 11:52 AMMarilyn, at the top of this blog entry you'll find a link to a page about the John Henry Legend. You might want to check there.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at September 22, 2006 6:30 PMhi to everyone i would realy love for someone to mail me the story or poem of john henery .. my mom once read it to me and she died this past jan.. i can not fimd the poem anywhere thanks to all kimberly
Kimberly, just click the link in the first line of the blog entry.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at May 26, 2007 8:34 AM