Sarah Robb
Sundiata and Kirikou
Sundiata and Kirikou are similar heroes that greatly differ from heroes we have previously studied. I believe that the ending of Sundiata is much more appealing than that of Kirikou. In the ending of Sundiata the enemy is completely defeated. In Kirikou the enemy is merely altered and cured. The ending of Sundiata is more complete to an audience because the villain is destroyed. This ending is a way of showing good conquers evil in a more intense way. Kirikou is a perfect example of rehabilitation. The villian is not destroyed, but merely transformed to be good. I think the ending of An Epic of Old Mali is more relatable because the hero is not vicious, he does not kill his enemy, he simply relieves him of his powers. They both are very similar in that they faced challenges, especially in their youth, and has to fight villains that greatly embodied their counterpart.
Both stories begin with challenges. When Sundiata was born, he was a cripple. Before he was even born he had a great destiny and his birth shattered most of these expectations. When he was first born he was a cripple, he had to face cruel mocking and disappointment from his father and his kingdom of Mali. Kirikou’s story is much the same in that he faced adversity and judgment from the beginning because of his size. No matter how much they were deterred or mocked, they both reacted with as much kindness and leadership as anyone could expect.
Sundiata had the support of his family despite his crippling conditions. His mother loved him unconditionally and was hopeful he would become the hero he was destined to be. His father, the king of Mali, had faith enough in the destiny of his son that his dying wish was to leave him the kingdom and his griot’s son. Kirikou was different in that he spent much of his time alone and without outside help from the wise elder. They both had advisors, Sundiata turned to his griot for advice, while Kirikou turned to his grandfather.
Neither hero killed the villain they faced. Sundiata stripped Soumaoro Kante of his power with an arrow. Soumaoro ran away from Sundiata. This ending is more satisfying to me because the villain can no longer be evil, and is no longer important or dangerous. For Kirikou, the defeat of his enemy was more of a change. The villain Karaba changes from evil to good. I don’t think that is a very appealing ending because the villain is now someone to adore, whereas Soumaoro got what he deserved and is no longer a threat at all.
The ending and defeat of a villain is the most important trial a hero will face. For these two similar heroes, the defeat unravelled very differently. Sundiata stripped Soumaoro of his evil and he ran never to return. This ending is very satisfying to an American audience because the hero can no longer exist. Karaba, the villain defeated by Kirikou, was simply changed from evil to good. I think this ending is too simple and easy. It is more appealing for an audience to see the end of an evil villain, rather than a change in heart.
robbselit 