Young, 'Brownie’s Progress: From the Lowlands to the New World' (original) (raw)

Simon Young, Brownie’s Progress: From the Lowlands to the New World, The Enquiring Eye 12 (2024) This article traces the evolution of the "brownie," a supernatural household helper (HHH) deeply embedded in Scottish Lowland folklore, and its cultural diffusion and transformation across regions and time periods. Initially described as a solitary spirit aiding households with tasks, the brownie’s origins, etymology, and key characteristics are analyzed through early literary sources and geographical data. The study examines how the brownie’s identity shifted under the influence of Lowland Scots culture, literary standardization, and broader folklore assimilation, extending into Gaelic-speaking areas, the Northern Isles, and England. By the 19th century, the brownie had undergone significant cultural reinterpretation, culminating in its mainstream adaptation in children's literature and the Girl Guide movement. The article highlights the "observer effect" in folklore studies, demonstrating how the standardization of terminology by national writers not only records but reshapes folklore beliefs, ultimately transforming the brownie from a rustic household spirit into a widely recognized symbol of fairy-like benevolence.

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