frog general: 1. being amphibious, its meaning also is often
ambivalent; 2. its natural enemy is the serpent: e.g. Dante (Inf. C. 9, 76f.);
special meanings: 1. frogs are often found on sign-boards and on stone tablets of facades; most probably they symbolize fertility and evolution; 2. D. Thomas: embryo: swimming in the uterus, 'spinning' his body ("a grief ago");
folklore: A. curative: esp. against diseases for which witches may be responsible; B. magic: 1. frogs can be used as effigies to work the harm on meant for a human being; 2. frog-bones (or a portion of them) of a slowly killed frog, have great magical power; 3. a frog's toe is a talisman against disease and evil; 4. frog-skin is a protective charm because of its slipperiness; cf. the "rabbit-foot" for speed; C. a frog coming into the house is a bad omen; D. frog-stones (cf. toad-stones): yellowish stones having the shape of a frog, found near lakes: lucky; E. proverbs: a. "the frog cannot out of her bog"; b. "the frog said to the harrow: Cursed be so many lords";
vinyl albums: recording of famous Mark Twain short story as read by Oscar-winning thespian Walter Brennan during the glow of his long run on the Emmy Award-winning TV program 'The Real McCoys'. Presented here in MP3 format for your edification.
The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Enjoyed it thanks
Posted by: Ann | September 16, 2012 at 03:58 AM
I posted the OTHER Brennan cut from this record (my favorite) already here:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2010/06/walter-brennan-reading-mark-twain.html
Posted by: Mindwrecker | September 16, 2012 at 06:52 AM