Elements of Folk Literature

How did folk literature originate? Folk literature began as stories that were passed along by word of mouth. (the oral tradition)

What is the difference between a theme and a universal theme? A theme is a message or insight about life. A universal theme is a message or insight that is broad enough to be understood by many different people.

What are some of the different types of folk literature? Folk tales – stories about heroes, adventure, magic, or romance. Fables – brief stories or poems that teach lessons or morals Folk songs – present the ideas, values, and beliefs of a culture in musical form Myths – fictional tales that explore the actions of the gods or heroes Legends – traditional, familiar stories about the past which usually have some basis in fact but the facts have been changed over the years in the retelling, making them more fiction than fact.

What are some patterns found in folk literature? Many folk tales begin with simple phrases like Once upon a time…or Long ago in a far-off land Threes are also common in folk tales, for example,The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

What is an archetype? An archetype is an element that recurs regularly in literature and has similar meanings to people of different cultures and time periods. Examples: Characters: enchanted princesses, tricksters, talking animals, superhuman heroes, and villains  Plot: dangerous journeys, quest to prove one’s honor, search for a valuable item. Ideas: good vs. evil, magic in the normal world, heroes and heroines aided by supernatural forces, evil disguised as good