Trickster
In short: A character type that changes events through deception, wit or a reversal of the rules.
Term
How does it work in the tale?
Anansi and Reynard often rely on knowledge and words. A trickster can help the weaker party in one scene and exploit someone’s trust in another.
What makes the trick work?
In Anansi’s tug-of-war, two powerful animals pull the same rope without knowing who is at the other end. Anansi has the advantage because he knows something neither of them knows. When reading another trickster tale, compare what each character knows before the trick and whose understanding changes when it is revealed.