The Anecdotes about Hanging story type (ATU 1868)

The Anecdotes about Hanging story type (ATU 1868) explores a unique vein of humor, finding lightheartedness in the most unexpected and somber of circumstances: the gallows.

The pattern

At its heart, this story type captures moments of wit and unexpected twists surrounding a solemn event. The scholarly description for ATU 1868 points to two primary forms this humor takes. First, the tale often features humorous dialogues exchanged between a criminal facing execution and the hangman. These exchanges are typically sharp, clever, and surprising, turning a grim moment into one of unexpected wit. Second, the humor can stem from a physical comedy of errors, such as the gallows falling apart, preventing the hanging from taking place. This unexpected turn of events creates a moment of absurdity and relief, transforming a dark scene into a comical one. The essence is always an unexpected subversion of the expected grim outcome through cleverness or mishap.

How cultures tell it

This intriguing story pattern is not confined to a single tradition; it has been attested across 7 different cultures. While the specific names of these cultural tellings aren't detailed in the scholarly record for this type, the consistent presence of this theme across various communities speaks to a shared human capacity for finding humor even in the face of adversity. Each culture imbues the basic premise with its own flavor, perhaps through specific idioms in the dialogue or unique reasons for the gallows' failure. The core idea, however, remains universal: a moment of gallows humor that lightens a heavy situation.

Motifs that define it

While the scholarly description for this specific ATU type doesn't detail individual, codified motifs, the very nature of the anecdotes provides its own defining elements. The central 'motif' is the unexpected humor arising from a dire situation. This often involves a 'clever retort' from the condemned, or a 'comical failure' of the execution apparatus. Unlike tales that might focus on animal tricksters, such as The Fox Stumbles over a Violin story type (ATU 135A*) where humor comes from animal antics, ATU 1868's humor is distinctly human, rooted in the power of words or the irony of circumstance. It’s a testament to the human spirit finding a way to smile, even at the edge of despair. Similarly, it differs from the moral lessons often found in stories like The Three Teachings of the Bird story type (ATU 150), focusing instead purely on the comedic moment.

Reading it with kids

Introducing children to tales from the Anecdotes about Hanging type requires thoughtful selection and adaptation. Many older versions might contain themes too dark for young readers, focusing on the grim reality of execution. However, the core elements—clever dialogue and comical mishaps—can be wonderfully adapted. Look for retellings that soften the context, perhaps by having the 'gallows' be a metaphor for a difficult situation, or by focusing entirely on the absurd failure of a contraption. The humor can come from a character's quick wit in a tight spot, or from a silly machine that just won't work, rather than the direct act of hanging. When exploring these stories, you might compare the cleverness of the characters to the quick thinking seen in tales like The Wolf Surprises the Pig in an Apple Tree story type (ATU 136), where a character's intelligence helps them outwit danger. The goal is to share the spark of ingenuity and the joy of an unexpected twist, always ensuring the story remains age-appropriate and wonder-charged.