Traditional Stories

Purpose To be able to distinguish among different genres using their unique characteristics To be able to read a story and, based on the characteristics, decide which type of story it is

Characteristics of Folk Tales Folk Tale- Folk tales (or folktales) are stories passed down through generations, mainly by telling. Different kinds of folktales include fairy tales (or fairytales), tall tales, trickster tales, fables, myths, legends, and epics.

Characteristics of Folk Tales Intended to… give an explanation to things people did not understand discipline children/teach a lesson simply pass the time. represent specific human traits in the characters Different cultures have different "folktales" and a lot of the time there are varying versions of the same story from those different cultures.

Types of Traditional Stories or Folk Tales Myths Legends Epics Fables Tall Tales

Characteristics of Myths A traditional story that was created to explain mysteries of the universe

Characteristics of Myths Often explains how something connected with humans or nature came to be Reveals the consequences of both good and bad behavior Features gods or other beings who have supernatural powers as well as certain flaws

EXAMPLES Movie- Clash of the Titans Books – Percy Jackson series Everyday myths- When someone is consistently lucky, that person is said to have the Midas touch. As in the myth of King Midas, everything the person touches turns to gold.

Characteristics of Legends A story passed down through many generations that is believed to be based on real historical people and events

Characteristics of Legends Focuses on the hero’s or heroine’s struggle to defeat a powerful force (through strength and/or intelligence) Highlights a positive quality or way of behaving All details are realistic and possible, but may include elements of magic or miracles

EXAMPLES Robin Hood King Arthur

Characteristics of Epics A long, narrative poem often written in formal language, that tells about a series of quests undertaken by a great hero

Characteristics of Epics Follow a quest, or journey, of a hero who has incredible strength and courage Focuses on the hero’s character traits – both positive and negative Features hero’s tasks such as battles in which the hero is tested

The Odyssey-is about Odysseus and his return home to Ithaca. EXAMPLES The Iliad- tells of the last year before the city of Troy was overrun by the Greeks The Odyssey-is about Odysseus and his return home to Ithaca.

Characteristics of Fables A brief story that teaches a lesson, or moral, about human nature

Characteristics of Fables Usually includes animal characters (or other forces of nature) that are anthropomorphized (made human like) Animal characters stand for specific human qualities, such as kindness or dishonesty Has a moral that is directly stated at the end OR indirectly communicated through what happens in the fable Different from parables, in that parables have only human characters

EXAMPLES The Lorax by Dr. Seuss- the importance of being kind to the environment. The Once-ler, whose face is never shown, represents industrialized society The Tortoise and the Hare- Aesop’s most famous fable- This story teaches the importance of patience and the dangers of excessive pride by describing a race between a tortoise and the hare who often teased him for moving too slowly

Characteristics of Tall Tales A humorously exaggerated story about impossible events

Characteristics of Tall Tales Stars a hero or heroine who is larger than life- bigger, stronger, or even louder than an ordinary person Uses exaggeration to emphasize the abilities and achievements of the hero or heroine May use real people (historic figures) as the main character but exaggerates their abilities to unrealistic levels

EXAMPLES Johnny Appleseed Paul Bunyan Davy Crockett

Characteristics of Fairy Tales Fairy Tale- usually considered a children's story; takes the form of a short story; magical and imaginary beings and lands are a central part of the story

Characteristics of Fairy Tales Takes place “once upon a time” – not in an identifiable time or place Contains imaginary and magical entities (such as dragons, trolls, elves, fairies,etc.) Magic and/or enchantment plays a large part in the plot

EXAMPLES The Sleeping Beauty Cinderella Rumpelstiltskin

Cultural Values in Traditional Stories Elements that define a culture- Attitudes Values Ideals hopes Fears Language Humor Expectations Rules

Cultural Values They are constantly changing and evolving Stories that reveal details about cultural values are like snapshots in time They present a picture of the culture’s beliefs at the moment they were recorded Can be preserved for future study or for future enjoyment

Cultural Values Questions to ask when reading- Who are the heroes and villains in the story? What attitude and behaviors are rewarded and admired? What can you learn about the characters? What does this tell you about the time period?