FOLK LITERATURE Fables Folk Tales Fairy Tales Proverbs

FOLK LITERATURE Fables, Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, Proverbs, Etiological Tales, Myths, and Legends

Folk Literature • Folk literature is primarily oral rather than written. • Transmits culturally significant information. • There are seven types of folk literature.

Fables • Definition: A brief story intended to teach a lesson, which utilizes animals. • Characteristics: 1. Talking animals 2. Clear lesson 3. Personification • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Folk Tales / Fairy Tales • Definition: A fictional story intended for children, which includes far-fetched elements. • Characteristics: 1. Young protagonists 2. Specialized intro. words (i. e. “once upon a time”) 3. Folkloric figures (fairies, gnomes, etc. ) • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Epics and Sagas • Definition: Long stories written in verse concerning historical events. • Characteristics: 1. Concerns something considered historical 2. Involves gods or goddesses 3. Written in verse • Example: You get a FREEBIE!!! THE ODYSSEY WHY?

Proverbs • Definition: A short, pithy saying intended to contain some wisdom. • Characteristics: 1. Typically no longer than a sentence 2. Typically utilizes a form of metaphor (i. e. not literal) 3. Contains a lesson • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Etiological Tales • Definition: Mythic tale intended to explain origin of practices • Characteristics: 1. About origin, but not creation 2. May be a type of myth 3. May explain myths • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Myths • Definition: Stories with god or hero protagonists in a proto-world setting to explain natural events • Characteristics: 1. Religious 2. Discusses gods/goddesses 3. Presented as truth • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Legends • Definition: Stories based on historical events or figures • Characteristics: 1. Set in identifiable location and time 2. Based on fact 3. May utilize folkloric figures • Example: Another freebie!!!!! King Arthur WHY?

THREE Primary Types of Myths

Origin (Cosmogony) • Definition: Myths concerning the creation of things or the world • Characteristics: 1. About creation, not origin 2. Presented as fact 3. Unseen mover sets creation in motion • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Destruction (Eschatology) • Definition: Myths concerning the future destruction of the world or the origin of death • Characteristics: 1. Frequently involves a flood 2. Presented as fact 3. Frequently excludes one “good” family • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Culture Heroes (Soteriology) • Definition: Myths concerning a hero, which provided mankind with a gift. • Characteristics: 1. Hero frequently dies or is tortured due to his/her gift 2. Hero performs a miracle 3. Hero goes against a greater power that they are generally associated with • Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY.

Additional Info. • There is frequently a lot of overlap with folk literature. • Differences between Fairy Tales and other Folk Literature: – Folk Tales record POOR people’s view of the world. – Fairy Tales record WEALTHY people’s view of the world.

APPLICATION • You will identify each reading selection using the CLASS COPY of the set of stories on your desk. • Use the guided notes to help you determine which story fits under the category you choose to pair the story with. – **You will not find an example of: • Epic/Saga • Legend • Myth – The last three stories coincide with the THREE types of the myths on the back page of the guided notes.