1. FOLK LITERATURE Fables, Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, Proverbs, Etiological Tales, Myths, and Legends

2. Folk Literature Folk literature is primarily oral rather than written.
Transmits culturally significant information.
There are seven types of folk literature.

3. Fables Talking animals Clear lesson Personification
Definition: A brief story intended to teach a lesson, which utilizes animals.
Characteristics:
Talking animals
Clear lesson
Personification
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

4. Folk Tales / Fairy Tales
Definition: A fictional story intended for children, which includes
far-fetched elements.
Characteristics:
Young protagonists
Specialized intro. words (i.e. “once upon a time”)
Folkloric figures (fairies, gnomes, etc.)
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

5. Epics and Sagas Concerns something considered historical
Definition: Long stories written in verse concerning historical
events.
Characteristics:
Concerns something considered historical
Involves gods or goddesses
Written in verse
Example: You get a FREEBIE!!! 
THE ODYSSEY
WHY?

6. Proverbs Typically no longer than a sentence
Definition: A short, pithy saying intended to contain some
wisdom.
Characteristics:
Typically no longer than a sentence
Typically utilizes a form of metaphor (i.e. not literal)
Contains a lesson
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

7. Etiological Tales About origin, but not creation May be a type of myth
Definition: Mythic tale intended to explain origin of practices
Characteristics:
About origin, but not creation
May be a type of myth
May explain myths
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

8. Myths Religious Discusses gods/goddesses Presented as truth
Definition: Stories with god or hero protagonists in a
proto-world setting to explain natural events
Characteristics:
Religious
Discusses gods/goddesses
Presented as truth
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

9. Legends Set in identifiable location and time Based on fact
Definition: Stories based on historical events or figures
Characteristics:
Set in identifiable location and time
Based on fact
May utilize folkloric figures
Example: Another freebie!!!!!
King Arthur
WHY?

10. THREE Primary Types of Myths

11. Origin (Cosmogony) About creation, not origin Presented as fact
Definition: Myths concerning the creation of things or the world
Characteristics:
About creation, not origin
Presented as fact
Unseen mover sets creation in motion
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

12. Destruction (Eschatology)
Definition: Myths concerning the future destruction of the world
or the origin of death
Characteristics:
Frequently involves a flood
Presented as fact
Frequently excludes one “good” family
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

13. Culture Heroes (Soteriology)
Definition: Myths concerning a hero, which provided mankind
with a gift.
Characteristics:
Hero frequently dies or is tortured due to his/her gift
Hero performs a miracle
Hero goes against a greater power that they are generally associated with
Example: You and a partner will identify which is which and WHY. 

14. Additional Info.
There is frequently a lot of overlap with folk literature.
Differences between Fairy Tales and other Folk Literature:
Folk Tales record POOR people’s view of the world.
Fairy Tales record WEALTHY people’s view of the world.

15. APPLICATION
You will identify each reading selection using the CLASS COPY of the set of stories on your desk.
Use the guided notes to help you determine which story fits under the category you choose to pair the story with.
**You will not find an example of:
Epic/Saga
Legend
Myth
The last three stories coincide with the THREE types of the myths on the back page of the guided notes.