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Tall Tales

Tall Tales. Beginnings of the Tall Tale. Tall tales began in the 1800's as a way for pioneers to understand the greatness of the American west.

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Tall Tales

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  1. Tall Tales

  2. Beginnings of the Tall Tale • Tall tales began in the 1800's as a way for pioneers to understand the greatness of the American west. • There were huge forests, ferocious animals, deserts, and mountains. The pioneers were trying to conquer these elements, and that was a scary business. • The heroes and heroines in the tall tales were also huge and often ferocious. They made the taming of America a little easier to handle. • In those days, before TV and movies, people depended on storytelling for entertainment. After a long day's work, people gathered to tell each other funny tales. • Each group of workers (loggers, cowboys, railroad and steel workers) had its own tall-tale hero. • Having a superhuman hero with the same job somehow made their lives easier. • Perhaps it gave them strength or courage to do their difficult and dangerous work.

  3. Elements of a Tall Tale • A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job. • A problem that is solved in a funny way. • Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are. • Characters who use everyday language. • Written in 1st person (uses “I”). • Some legendary figures are real people. There are more tall tales involving American baseball player Babe Ruth than could fill a book.

  4. Exaggeration – The Key to the Tall Tale • Remember, the key is to EXAGGERATE your hero's characteristics. Make him or her bigger or stronger or faster or smarter than anyone else! • The hero needs an adventure for a tall tale. Once again, the key is to EXAGGERATE. The main event of a tall tale is not something that can happen in real life.

  5. Famous Tall Tale Characters • Paul Bunyan • Johnny Appleseed • Pecos Bill • John Henry • Tony Beaver • Davy Crocket

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