Elements of Literature

Elements of Literature folktales

You will be learning about the following folktales: Fables Myths Legends Fairy tales Tall tales

Fables What is a fable exactly? Definition: A fable a fictitious (not real) story or tale, intended to instruct some useful truth (lesson or moral) or to amuse.

Fables What distinguishes a fable from other types of stories? • They are fiction (not real) • They have a simple plot and are generally very short • The characters are few, are animals, and act like humans (personification) • Each character represents a single human characteristic (ex. The fox as being a trickster) • The setting can be anywhere and the time is real • The ending teaches a lesson or a moral • fables reflect on human strengths and weaknesses and lead the reader to new insight or understanding

Fables Examples: • The Tortoise and the Hare • The three fishes • The talkative Turtle • The monkey and the crocodile • The ant and the grasshopper • The lion and the mouse • The cat and the fox • The lion with bad breath • The indigo Jackal

Myths What are myths exactly? Definition: A traditional story about a hero or event (with or without any proven evidence of really existing or happening). It also uses gods and demigods as characters and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

Myths What distinguishes myths from other types of stories? • They explain how something in nature looks or happens (ex. How the seasons change or how the world was created) • Characters are few and may be humans, gods, or demigods • The plot has plenty of action, and can focus on obstacles and challenges • The setting is relevant to a culture, can take place in the past or real time. • They are often linked to religion and Believed to be true stories by the people who tell them. • Often told in third person narrative (POV)

Myths Examples • The abduction of Persephone (Greek) • Earth-Maker (native American) • The Primary Chronicle (Slavic) • Obatala (Yoruba people of Nigeria) • Arachne the Spinner (Greek) • Pandora’s box (greek) • The great flood

Legends What are legends exactly? Definition: a nonhistorical or unverifiable story (can’t be proven true or false) handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly excepted as historical.

Legends What distinguishes a legend from other types of stories? • Legends are told as if they are historically accurate • It may or may not be an exaggerated version of an actual historical event • Set in a definite time period • Can be handed down orally or in writing • Generally feature humans as their main characters

Legends Examples • Robin Hood • Sir Arthur and the knights of the round table • The odyssey • The iliad (battle of troy) • The founding of rome by romulus and remus • The legend of king bladud

Fairy tales What are fair tales exactly? Definition: A story for children with elves, hobgoblins, dragons, fairies or other magical creatures

Fairy tales What distinguishes fairy tales from other types of stories? • They often include special beginning and ending phrases such as “once upon a time” and “happily ever after” and are known to be fiction • Setting is in the past and often includes castles, kingdoms and enchanted forests • The characters of often royalty such as kings, queens, princes, and princesses • They include fantasy, supernatural, or make-believe aspects • They often have clearly defined good and evil characters • The theme is often good vs. evil • They often have happy endings and teach a lesson • They have magical beings such as witches, wizards, dwarfs, giants, etc… • They are written by a single identifiable author

Fairy tales Examples • Cinderella • Sleeping beauty • Little red riding hood • Snow white and the seven dwarfs • Pinocchio • the bear • Beauty and the beast • Cupid and psyche • The elves and the shoemaker • The little mermaid

Tall tales What are tall tales exactly? Definition: a tale with unbelievable elements, but told as if they were true.

Tall tales what distinguishes tall tales from other types of stories? • Some tales are exaggerations of actual events, like fish stories • Some are completely false set in a familiar setting (like the American old west) • Are often told to seem like the narrator was part of the story (witness) • They are usually humorous and good natured • Uniquely American • The exaggeration is so large, it becomes the whole story

Tall Tales Examples • Johnny appleseed • Paul Bunyan • Pecos bill • Davey Crockett • Daniel Boone • Cordwood pete • Johnny beaver • Molly pitcher

Elements of Literature