Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1994. [Vol. 2.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 22)

STUDIES - András Tarnóc: "Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" Reflections of Political Correctness in a Distorted Mirror.

is rejected as a "cultural imperialist" the term "manifest destiny," a reference to the ideology of the Westward Movement, makes it clear that the author identifies the wolf with white Americans. Garner, through his sarcasm, betrays his condemnation of PC's rejection of the Euro-American worldview which, according to Florida A & M professors Yvonne R. Bell, Cathy L. Bouie and Joseph A. Baldwin, is based on such ideas as "survival of the fittest" and "control over nature" (Beard 23). The wolfs assumption of the identity of the colonizer bent on building a banana plantation subsequent to blowing away the first home places the events in the framework of the core vs. periphery, indicating a constant power struggle between colonizers and nations fending off colonial status. As the pigs defiantly shout back at the wolf "go to hell you carnivorous imperialistic oppressor!" the author's reference to a favorite expression of PC zealots, "oppressor," becomes an important symbol. In this "culture of complaint" the term indicates a hostile relationship between genders, races and ethnic groups (Hughes 9). Women are victims of male oppressors and all minorities claim protection from the number one oppressor, the white Euro-American male. Furthermore the term, "carnivorous," must not be overlooked either as a reference to the destruction of the environment It is illuminating to observe how the pigs repel the wolfs advances. At the straw house, upon hearing the plea: "little pigs, little pigs let me in!" the pigs shout, "Your gunboat tactics hold no fear for pigs defending their home and culture!" The pigs are obviously vulnerable to the wolfs attacks and their cry of fear over the loss of their culture could create sympathy for them. Consequently, minority cultures fending off the alleged attack of mainstream American culture can similarly hope for an outpouring of public sympathy. Furthermore the wolf (mainstream American culture) regards the pigs (minorities) with condescension, treating them as children: "They are so childlike in their ways. It will be a shame to see them go but progress cannot be stopped," the wolf muses. Minorities have often been described as childlike in American literature, suffice it to refer to minstrel shows and Topsy's portrayal by Stowe in Uncle Tom's Cabin (Virágos 168—169). 130