"The Next Last of the Breed": Dynastic Succession and Resistance in an Appalachian Storytelling Clan

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    Abstract

    Appalachian storyteller Ray Hicks was often described metonymically as “the last of his breed.” After Ray's death in 2003, it emerged that several younger extended family members were capable of re-telling his stories. While space exists in the professional storytelling world for next-generation tellers to step into the family storytelling mantle, internal and external factors have resisted this development. The essay explores attitudes toward private and public performance, memory, identity, and honor among the descendants and relatives of a dominant Appalachian tradition-bearer.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)206-220
    Number of pages15
    JournalJournal of Appalachian Studies
    Volume23
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 30 Oct 2017

    Keywords

    • Storytelling
    • Appalachian taletellers
    • folklore
    • folkloristics
    • Jack Tales
    • Beech Mountain

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