The John Henry wars

Abstract

In this academically eclectic essay, I look at the complex role of oral literature in society
through a case study of the famous American legend of John Henry. I am chiefly concerned
with (a) the multiple claims of the hero's origin, b) the conflicting opinions of folklorists, (c)
the question of the legend's historicity, and finally, d) how all three areas intersect. In the
end, I find that much is at stake in the answer to my initial question: Who was John Henry?
Scholars have devoted their careers to this query. African Americans and labor unions,
among other groups, have each claimed him as their representative. American cities have
built monuments to him, held festivals to celebrate his feats, and released postage stamps
with his likeness, all with the intention of engraining the legend into the lore of their
particular jurisdictions. Meanwhile, musicians and storytellers have grappled fiercely with
academics, the former accusing the latter of ruining the legend through endless analysis. As
the title suggests, these ‘wars' over this national icon unearth the subtleties of the political
economy of labor, the ironies of racial identity, and the intricate relationship between
folklore and fiction.

Keywords:folklore, John Henry

MARANG: Journal of Language and Literature Vol. 17 2007: pp. 71-82