Oral Tradition Folk Lore Oral TraditionFolklore A story

Oral Tradition/ Folk. Lore

Oral Tradition/Folklore • A story originally composed orally, then passed person to person by word of mouth. • Many were published as printed literature, and rewritten in a variety of forms. • They reflect the culture, environment, knowledge, wisdom, social practices and beliefs of the people who first told them. • Includes fables, myths, tall tales and legends, and traditional fairy tales

Folklore (Folktales) Fables Fairy Tales Legends Tall Tales Myths

Fables • Teaches a moral or lesson – See Aesop’s fables • • Animals are usually characters They succeed or fail in response to their ability to be quick-witted.

Fairy Tale • A fanciful story written for, or told to, children. • Usually contains at least one supernatural element (magic, dragons, elves, ghosts, hobgoblins, witches, etc. ). • Most fairy tales are based on the traditional folklore of a specific culture.

Legends/Tall Tales • • • Usually refer to individual characters Tells the story of a hero (legends) based on truth, these have often been embellished over time – Such as Johnny Appleseed or Daniel Boone

Myths • Explains the origins of: – Human and superhuman characteristics (such as Greek gods) – Natural or supernatural phenomena • Teaches a lesson or spiritual truth

Common Themes in Folklore • • youngest/smallest sibling is successful/others fail wishes granted magic objects are standard props animals talk monsters appear use of trickery number 3 significant 4 in Native American a poor person becomes rich