The introduction of Pamela Colman Smith’s work for The Annancy Stories was a welcome change to the more classical stories of Victorian England we had been studying thus far for this course. I was familiar beforehand with the character of Anansi and his various folktales and mythologies, but I was surprised to discover that these stories were being published during this characteristically racially discriminatory and prejudiced time period for a predominantly white audience. I found most interesting the way in which Smith approaches her work in a manner that is accessible to white audiences, but also slyly subverts various notions about this ruling class. I thoroughly enjoyed Emma’s presentation and the points she brought up about the overall oral nature of these stories and how this was traditional to Carribean communities, and how this is more or less adapted to Western standards by Smith creating one static version of the story through publication. However, Smith still honoured these oral traditions through performances, which I find an interesting development as well.

Further, in the examination of cultural appropriation by Smith, I think there is a lot to dissect here as well. For instance, while I commend Smith for including the Patois dialect of the Jamaican people within these stories and thus introducing this vernacular to her Victorian audiences, I can't help but also wonder if it was purposefully used as an exotic phenomenon to amuse her readers. At the same time, I am aware of her focus on introducing these elements and the use of supernatural elements, such as the Obeah, which were looked down upon traditionally in Western societies. Thus, in this sense, Smith forever changed the literary canon of Victorian texts by diversifying the stories being published. Overall, I believe it's a pleasure to read stories written from the perspectives of women who were usually cut out of literary academia, and I only hope that the future entails excavating more of these important texts. It is a shame that there is so little information available about such a radical and interesting woman, and I am excited to know that more material is being published soon!