Walled-Up Wife: A Casebook

"Unearth the haunting depths of a timeless ballad with *Walled-Up Wife: A Casebook*, a meticulously curated collection of interpretations surrounding the enigmatic folk song. Edited by the renowned folklorist Alan Dundes, this First Edition paperback from the University of Wisconsin Press (1996) offers a multifaceted exploration of a ballad that resonates across cultures and centuries. Delve into the heart of a story where a woman is tragically immured within a structure, often a bridge or building foundation, a sacrifice seemingly demanded by tradition or fate. *Walled-Up Wife* presents a diverse range of perspectives, moving beyond simple retellings to unearth the complex layers of meaning embedded within the narrative. Alan Dundes, a towering figure in the field of folklore studies, brings his unparalleled expertise to this compelling casebook. Known for his groundbreaking work in structural analysis and psychoanalytic interpretations of folklore, Dundes has assembled a collection of essays that challenges conventional understandings of the ballad and its enduring appeal. His own work often explored the underlying psychological motivations behind cultural narratives, and this casebook reflects that dedication to deep analysis. Within these pages, you'll encounter not only competing nationalistic claims concerning the ballad's origins, offering a glimpse into how different cultures have appropriated and adapted the story to reflect their own histories and values, but also incisive analyses of gender and power dynamics within the narrative. Ruth Mandel's contribution, in particular, sheds light on the subjugation of women and the patriarchal structures that underpin the ballad's tragic events. Furthermore, Lyubomira Parpulova-Gribble unveils a structuralist interpretation, dissecting the ballad's underlying patterns and motifs to reveal its inherent logic and symbolic weight. Beyond these specific approaches, *Walled-Up Wife* invites readers to consider broader themes of sacrifice, construction, and the relationship between the individual and the community. Is the walled-up wife a victim of circumstance, a symbol of fertility, or a representation of the cost of progress? The answers, as this casebook reveals, are far from simple. This book is a valuable resource for students and scholars of folklore, cultural studies, sociology, and literature. It is also perfect for anyone interested in exploring the hidden depths of traditional ballads and the enduring power of storytelling. Weighing 345 grams and spanning 224 pages, this paperback edition offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of a ballad that continues to captivate and disturb audiences around the world. Discover why the ballad of the walled-up wife continues to resonate across cultures and time with this definitive collection of critical essays."