I received several variants of this chain letter, but chose to archive these as they represent some of the first and the last variants I received. The three text-only variants circulated almost immediately after the attacks; aside from the image of the eagle and the burning towers, they were among the first types of e-lore to circulate. The variant with the candle graphic, two down in the following list, was sent much later; I received it from a student in February 2002.

The top two versions, below, provide a nice case study of the kind of modification and "standardization" processes that e-lore often goes through as it circulates. Much like orally transmitted narratives, e-lore, too, gets altered and "refined" as it circulates. And, as with orally transmitted narratives, it's virtually impossible to pinpoint when, where, how, and why the numerous modifications occurred.

Nevertheless, it's interesting that the first variant, below, includes a much cruder version of the candle graphic (created on the keyboard), while the one below it includes a much more polished and visually appealing graphic. And while the early version refers specifically to the tragedy, and focuses on the human loss and the tragedy for the victims' families, the later one only refers to 9/11 in passing, and contains a much more broadly patriotic message.

To my mind, the early version has the feel of something thrown together quickly, during a very emotional time, simply in order to start it circulating. The greater attention to aesthetic appeal in the later version, as well as its more simplified message, indicates the passage of time in between, and a shift away from the emotive, therapeutic function of the earlier chain letter. The patriotic tone also reflects the military action that was occurring in late 2001 and early 2002.

From: Mark Hathaway
Subject: Please keep this candle burning.........
To: rvhatha@bentley.univnorthco.edu
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 09:04:46 -0400

I usually don't forward this type of thing but I thought you might be interested since you're collecting things related to last week's events.

Hope you had a happy birthday in spite of all this gloom and uncertainty!

----- Forwarded by Mark J Hathaway/Nationwide/NWIE on 09/20/2001 09:00 AM

Subject: Please keep this candle
burning.........

We are keeping this candle burning for all the people & their families who were in the planes, buildings and anywhere near the explosions today. May God be with them and help them through this terrible time.

God Bless

Keep The Candle Going

I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden.
I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest.
I asked God for a friend, he gave me YOU.

"There is not enough darkness in the world to put
out the light of one candle."

The Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship

()
| |
| |
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This candle was lit on the 11th of September, 2001.

Someone who loves you has helped keep it alive by sending it to you.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 7:40 PM
Subject: FW: 1 little candle

1 little candle
We are passing the candle, It's been around and now its our turn....

THIS CANDLE WAS STARTED 9/11/01 AND HAS NOT BEEN OUT SINCE. KEEP IT GOING AND THE FLAME ALIVE BY SENDING IT TO ALL THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE AND ANYBODY ELSE YOU KNOW. JUST A LITTLE WAY TO TURN IT INTO A BIG FLAME THAT HELPS US REALIZE THAT WE ARE FREE AND WHOLE AS A NATION AND THAT WE WILL PREVAIL. GOD BLESS AMERICA----LAND THAT WE LOVE!

Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 21:41:08 EDT
From: SydneeMC
To: afsgradstu@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
Subject: Re: Fw: Light a candle for Unity

I received this from 4 places so maybe you will try this.

Please read below and pass along!

Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism.

Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly.

The message: WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM!

Thank you.

We need press to cover this - we need the world to see.

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate accomplishments.

--Napoleon Hill

Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2001 11:48:40 -0500
Reply-To: afsgradstu@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
From: "Peterson-Veatch, Ross W"
Subject: Fw: Light a candle for Unity

Light a Candle for Unity!

Though terrorists may have struck out at us as Americans, let us come together and show our unity. Let us show that though our arm may have been hurt, they can not dim the heart of America which rages bright. On Thursday September 13, 2001 at 10:30 pm EST, walk out your door and light a candle or lantern to show the world that our spirit burns bright. Gather with loved ones or gather with neighbors but let our light burn in the night to show that we are united and that we remain strong.

Please pass this on to anyone you know..print it up and pass it to neighbors who may not have internet access, post it to message boards, clubs, news stations, anywhere and everywhere there is a PROUD American!

These two examples on the bottom, notably, call for more than just continued electronic transmission--they call for local and public action as well. That makes them remarkable both as chain letters and as examples of e-lore, both of which tend to be fairly insular, asking only that the recipient send the letter/e-mail message on. Only rarely do chain letters of any kind call for action beyond transmission. To me, these indicate the power of e-lore as a folk communication system that could have "real-world" potential. Rather than further isolate people from human contact (as electronic communication is stereotypically represented as doing), these e-mails call for people to actively create community, both electronically and "IRL." A Denver radio station also mentioned this item on the air, providing an additional mode of transmission. Admittedly, this potential is undermined by the fact that the variant on the top names Friday night as the "vigil" night, while the one on the bottom names Thursday, and in Greeley, anyway, I didn't notice many candles out on either night.