Elements of Folktales 7 th Grade Literature What

Elements of Folktales 7 th Grade Literature

What is a Folktale? • In your notebook write your definition

Now, compare! • Stories about peoples' lives and imaginations as they struggled with their fears and anxieties • Folktales were made up to explain the wonders of the world or to teach morals and lessons

Characteristic #1 • Folktales were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, which is called oral tradition

Characteristic #2 Characterization: • • The hero and heroine are usually young The heroine is usually fair, kind, charitable, and caring The hero is usually honorable, courageous, unselfish, and caring. Both usually have special abilities or powers

Characteristic #3 Setting: • Place is described easily and briefly (humble cottage) • Time is in the past (usually long-ago) imbedded within the history of the culture • Time is fantasy time, any time or any place, timeless or placeless, or a long time ago

Characteristic #4 Plot • Very simple, though interesting • The plot starts right out with fast moving action that grabs the listeners interest and keeps it • Conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil

Characteristic #5 Theme • Usually universal truths, lessons, and values related to people, their actions, and/or material goods that is valued by the group that creates the folktale Good is rewarded and evil is punished in the end Good versus Evil

Characteristic #6 Point of View • Often third person narrative. Could be first.

Assessment 1. 2. 3. 4. True or False The plot in folktales is usually a complicated one A common theme is man versus animal Folktales were passed down through oral tradition The setting is vividly described throughout the story

Day 2

Where do people find hope? What is hope? Where do you find it? HOPE Why do we need it? Brainstorm the answers to these questions with a partner. How can we give hope to others?

About the Author Virginia Hamilton (1936 -2002) Virginia Hamilton grew up listening to her parents, grandparents, and others tell stories of their past. She realized that “they were passing along heritage and culture and a pride in their history. ”

A hopeful Community • Despite the hardships they faced, enslaved people held on to a sense of community and tradition. They passed on stories, folk tales, and legends from generation to generation. • The folktale, “The People Could Fly” is one example of these stories of hope and tradition.

Background to the folktale Between the 1500’s and 1800’s, about 12 million Africans were sent to North and South America as enslaved people. Colonists in the Americas wanted a cheap labor forcé to support their large-scale farming. People were kidnapped in Africa and sent overseas as enslaved people to be sold.

Vocabulary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. croon snag shuffle plantation overseer gaze 7. shed 8. clumsily 9. glinty 10. seize 11. snarled