1. Elements of Folktales

2. What is a Folktale?
Folktales were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, which is called oral tradition.
Folktales were made up to explain the wonders of the world or to teach morals and lessons.

3. Common Elements of Folktales:
Rule of Three: Items happen in sets of 3 or 7s (things happen in 3s, lots of repetition or repeated phrases)
- 3 characters
- 3 events
- 3 tests the character must overcome
Ex: “Jack and the Beanstalk” showed Jack climbing the beanstalk three times. The wicked stepmother visited Snow White in the forest three times before she finally got her to eat the apple. Three little pigs were tested by the wolf.
Magic/Spirits are commonly used, to explain the unexplainable.
You will see similar characteristics from stories across the world

4. Fables, fairy tales, legends, and myths all fit under this umbrella.
Folktales
Myths
Fables
Fairy tales
Legends
Fables, fairy tales, legends, and myths all fit under this umbrella.

5. Elements of Fables
These are stories that teach a lesson or have a moral usually stated at the end
The main characters of fables are usually animals with human characteristics
(Anthropomorphism)
Characters must overcome obstacles or pass challenges

6. Examples of Fables
Tortoise and the Hare
Lion and the Mouse

7. Elements of Fairytales
Usually has a hero or heroine
Has magic/magical creatures
Often begins with “Once upon a time” or “Long, long ago…”
Conflicts are resolved through kindness, courage or intelligence
End with “…happily ever after”
“Underdog” usually wins

8. Examples of Fairy Tales
Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
Aladdin

9. Elements of Legends
Refer to individuals, heroes, or kings who lived in a period before written record.
Based on facts, but changed to make it more interesting
(Hyperbole)

10. Example of Legends
Robin Hood
King Arthur

11. Elements of Myths
Reveal values of the society for which they were created.
Explain WHY something is as it is
Explains HOW something came to be and it usually explains something in nature (creation myths/hero myths)
Feature gods or other beings with supernatural powers

12. Examples of Myths
Perseus and Medusa
Theseus and the Minotaur

13. What elements do they all have in common?
1. Characters are not well-developed
Flat characters
(no change)
Cardboard characters
(Prince= rescuer, Owl=wise, Princess= helpless, witch=evil)
2. Predictable Plots
Unhappy/Unfortunate StartTests/Trials along the way Happy Ending
3. All questions are answered at the end Morals / Themes / Messages

14. They all share common themes
Characters go through tests to prove something (the good character must solve a problem)
Good versus Evil (has characters that good, others are bad)
Good is rewarded and Evil is punished in the end (tales have a happy ending)

15. Most Common Folk Tale Across Cultures

16. Let’s find out! Group Activity
Why do you think these stories changed as they were passed down through each generation?
Let’s find out!