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Storyteller Cabin |
- Blinded by Love - Cultural Background
"Blinded by Love" combines two common story themes brought over to the American South by Colonial settlers. The first theme involves a headless ghost who returns from the dead for a specific reason, such as revenge or to warn the living of impending doom. In British folklore, these headless ghosts most commonly ride horses, such as in Washington Irving's classic tale "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." But they are also known to walk, float, or stand by the roadside, waiting for an unsuspecting rider to approach.
The second theme involves a ghost that leads the living toward hidden treasure. This ghost can take many forms, such as an animal, an eerie light, or the disembodied head in our story. Once the treasure is found, the ghost typically finds some measure of peace, and is never heard from again. While these tales are common in British folklore, variations can be found in cultures throughout the world.
