Julius,

I know that you are only alive in my head and in my words. Yet, I believe that I owe you an apology, of sorts.

Readers of the Conjure Tales probably assume that all of your motives come from a place of self interest. That all of your motives come from the need to ‘one up the whiteys.’ I believe that I owe you an apology, because that’s obviously not (completely) the case.

Allow me to backtrack. Folklore is a rich part of our culture. My mother used to tell me stories of folklore when I was a child. Stories filled with witches and conjurers, heroes and creatures. These stories, while broadening my creative imagination, also taught me important lessons. This is because children learn through imitation: stories that are told to children are meant to enlighten, sure, but they are important tools for education as well. When a child hears a story in which a character who behaves well is rewarded, that encourages them to do the same. Likewise, when they hear a story in which the are cruel are punished appropriately, it makes them less likely to want to do wrong.

During the old plantation days, folklore flourished. Stories of conjuring were told to pass the time, and to give hope to those who desperately needed it. However, with the rise of education, conjuring was looked upon as nonsense, and as the stress of religion became more prevalent, witchcraft was suddenly frowned upon. Thus, years of important tradition were suddenly lost.

Julius, yes, your character can often do things out of self interest and selfishness– but your character is so much more than that. Your character is a preserver of this important and rich tradition that should live on, and must live on, if we desire future generations to have the tools to learn from them.

In the beginning of Dave’s Neckliss, John wonders about your perception and consciousness, or lack thereof. He doesn’t understand or perceive things as you do, and because of this, he believes that it is you, not him, lacking in self consciousness. What he doesn’t realize, however, is that many of the reasons for which he believes you to lack consciousness actually prove how self aware you are. In order to go insane, to feel the pain of self, or to feel depressed, one must also be self aware. And one who reads the stories closely enough can understand that you are much more self aware than you portray yourself to be. You use John and Annie’s ignorance, yes, but not just to get your way. You use their ignorance in order to educate them. John and Annie have, in a sense, the most elementary self consciousness. Their elementary self consciousness can only be reached through the most elementary way of education– through stories and tales. Just as we teach our young through folklore, so too, we must teach our ignorant that way as well.

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