1. World Myths and Folktales

2. Myths and Folktales:  world’s oldest stories, passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation  vital to modern readers/reveal common truths, patterns, and themes familiar to all ages & cultures  explain origin of various rituals and common human experiences  (What are some human experiences/emotions that are universal to all human beings?)

3. Differences Between Myths and Folktales Folktales:  include legends, fables, tall tales, fairy tales, and ghost stories.  are secular, or nonreligious.  are created for entertainment as well as for teaching social and moral values.

4. Folktales (cont.)  feature magic and enchantment, just as myths do. Although folktales may sometimes include gods or goddesses, they are usually not central characters in the story.  contain heroes who are common, everyday folk who don’t have special powers. Heroes of myth are superhuman offspring of gods or goddesses and human parents.  are not associated with religious rituals.

5. Folktales

6. Fairy Tales

7. Fables

8. Most important difference between myths and folktales…  myths are a direct expression of a culture’s religious beliefs; folktales are not.

9. Creation myths/Origin myths Describe how a culture believes the world and mankind were created Often contain archetypal themes Function as— 1. Early science 2. Early religion 3. Early entertainment (archetype)--an original model of a person or character, ideal, example, plot,or prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated

10. Creation myths/Origin myths (cont.) (archetype)--an original model of a person or character, ideal, example, plot, or prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated

11. Archetypes Archetypal literary elements: patterns in literature found around the world * archetypal plots Ex: *Happily-ever-after tales *Rags-to-riches stories

12. Literary Terms * archetypical characters Ex: *star-crossed lovers *hero *villain *underdog

13. Literary Terms *archetypical setting: *Eden/paradise *Utopia *Dystopia *”wrong side of the tracks” neighborhood *suburbia

14. Literary Terms *archetypical themes Ex: *Love conquers all *Good vs. evil

15. *archetypal symbols Ex: numbers as symbols (depends on culture) dove rose colors olive branch

16. Creation myths/Origin myths (cont.) Common archetypical elements in creation myths across cultures include—  what exists in the very beginning  creator, often omniscient and involved in the existence of his/her creations  Explanation of natural phenomenon (e.g. how evil came to exist, how death came to be, the reason for thunder and other natural occurances, etc.)