DEVELOPMENT OF THE JACK TALES WALL

In the fall of 1992 I was commissioned by Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Virginia, to conceptualize a monumental 30'x50' brick wall sculpture that would be placed in a new campus building. The wall's theme was to be my choice, although the college did ask that I choose something indigenous to the four counties that SVCC serves: Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, and Tazewell. However, after extensive research into the history and character of these counties, I was still undecided as to a 'theme' that would exemplify their many unique attributes.

It was then that a young man named Jack seemed to plant himself squarely in front of my path of research. Jack of the mountains, Jack and his brothers, Soldier Jack, --- The Jack Tale. Who better to represent the people of these four counties than young Jack, the hero of hundreds of lively tales, indigenous to the Appalachian mountains? These very tales that were brought by the Scots-Irish and German immigrants from Europe into the southwestern Virginia region during the mid 1700's. Much as the early pioneers adapted themselves to this mountain environment, so did their stories adapt along with them. Thus, tales that were first transmitted orally throughout the British Isles and written down by the Brothers Grimm in Germany, mutated here into stories with an intrinsically 'American' hero. A hero who possessed limitless optimism and a trust in his absolute ability to control his own destiny.

The wall's theme then, would be one that celebrates a character whose fulfillment is achieved through kindness, by a bit of luck, and most importantly, by wits and intelligence --- all characteristics that truly represent the people of this region.

With the theme chosen and agreed upon by the SVCC 'Wall' committee, I was able to quickly sketch out a design that was both aesthetically pleasing, as well as practical, in terms of the materials to be used in constructing the wall: thousands of red clay bricks. This design, with a few modifications for practical considerations, was accepted by the committee. Now, nearly four years later, with the completion of the Center for Health and Community Development Building, 'The Jack Tales Wall' has been translated from a flat pencil drawing into vibrant three dimensional life by the capable and talented hands of Johnny Hagerman.

-Charles Vess, October 1997

Behind them rises the bean tree, the storytelling tree, and as the woman spins her tales the thick verdant branches fill with images from the multitude of Jack Tales that are indigenous to the first wave of white pioneer settlers to this region.

Populating the tree is a huge giant holding his wooden cudgel ("Jack and the Bean Tree"1). Further along are the daughters of a witch woman --- the first with only one eye, the second possessed with two eyes just like you and I, while the third has three ("Jack and the Bull"1).

Beneath them is a one-eyed beggar (this is Woden/Odin wandering in from Nordic and Germanic mythology), who figures in many Jack Tales, always giving, in return for some natural kindness from Jack, just the right gift that will eventually see the youth safely through to the end of that story ("Fill, Bowl, Fill"1, Hardy Hardhead"1, and "Jack's Goose" 3). The beggar man is talking to a small mouse ("The Never-ending Tale" 3) about young Jack and whether or not he's worth all the trouble they've gone to on his behalf.

Above them, nine cats scamper across the tree limbs on their way to a haunted mill ("Sop Doll" 1). Flying past that same limb is a magic boat carrying seven brothers: Hardy Hardhead, Eatwell, Drinkwell, Runwell, Harkwell, Seewell, and Shootwell. Everyone of those brothers is going to help in Jack's rescue of a princess from the clutches of an evil witch-woman ("Hardy Hardhead" 1 or "Jack and the Flying Boat" 2).

Below them on the last limb are three preachers and three dancing girls stuck fast to the enchanted goose that the Jack figure holds. Their frantic efforts to break free help bring laughter and joy into another young princesses' heart, thus winning for Jack, her hand in marriage and a happily-ever-after ending to that tale, at least ("Jack and the Wood Chopper" 3).

It is early evening as the pioneer woman pauses at the end of her last story. She settles herself, and smiles back at her two compan alm your heart. Listen. Their stories are full of wonder and delight . . .

References:

1. The Jack Tales
Retold by Richard Chase; Pub. by Houghton Mifflin Company

2. Mountain Jack Tales
Told by Gail Haley; Pub. by Dutton Books

3. Outwitting the Devil: Jack Tales from Wise County Virginia
Ed. by Charles Perdue, Jr.; Pub. by Ancient City Press

4. Jack in the Two Worlds
Ed. by Bernard McCarthy, a publication of the American Folklore Society;
Pub. by Chapel Hill Press