1. World Myths and Folktales

2. Myths world’s oldest stories, passed on by word of
mouth from generation to generation
vital to modern readers b/c they reveal common
truths
patterns
themes familiar to all ages & cultures
explain origin of various rituals and common human experiences

3. Important point…
We will be discussing the definition of myth as a literary term, not as an indicator of truth or accuracy.

4. Universality of the Human Experience
What are some human experiences/emotions that are universal to all human beings?
Brainstorm

5. Myth—definition Myths originally functioned as--
(myth)—an anonymous, traditional story passed down by word of mouth that explains--
A belief
A custom
A natural phenomenon
Myths originally functioned as--
Early science
Early religion
Early entertainment

6. Purposes of Myth 1. To explain the creation of the world and universe
2. To explain the human condition
How and why people were created
Why people are flawed (sin and evil)
Why there is suffering in the world (sickness, disease, etc.)
Why people must die
What happens to people after death

7. Creation myths/Origin myths
Describe how a culture believes the world and mankind were created

8. Folktale--Definition
(folk tale)--a story or legend forming part of an oral tradition.
Folktales--
are part of the oral tradition of a group
are more frequently told than read
are passed down from one generation to another
take on the characteristics of the time and place in which they are told

9. Folktales (cont.) speak to universal and timeless themes
are often about the common person

10. Folktales… are secular, or nonreligious.
are created for entertainment as well as for
teaching social and moral values.

11. Fairy Tales
A fairy tale is a story, often intended for children, that features fanciful and wondrous characters such as elves, goblins, wizards, and even, but not necessarily, fairies. The term “fairy” tale seems to refer more to the fantastic and magical setting or magical influences within a story, rather than the presence of the character of a fairy within that story. Fairy tales are often traditional; many were passed down from story-teller to story-teller before being recorded in books.

12. Fables
A fable is a short piece of fiction that features animals in the role of the protagonist and usually includes or illustrates a moral. A fable can also have other inanimate objects, mythical creatures, or forces of nature as main characters.

13. Tall Tales
A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. Some stories such as these are exaggerations of actual events

14. Folktale Heroes vs. Mythic Heroes
Folktale heroes…common, everyday
folk who don’t have special powers.  
Mythic heroes…superhuman offspring of gods or goddesses and human parents

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

16. Myths and folktales contain archetypal themes
(archetype)--an original model of a person or character, plot, symbol or prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated

17. Archetypes patterns in literature found around the world
* Archetypal Plots
Ex: *Happily-ever-after tales
*Rags-to-riches stories

18. Archetypal Characters
* Ex: *star-crossed lovers *hero *villain *underdog

19. Archetypical Settings
*Eden/paradise *Utopia *Dystopia *”wrong side of the tracks” neighborhood *suburbia

20. *Archetypal Themes
Ex: *Love conquers all *Good vs. evil

21. Archetypal symbols
numbers as symbols (depends on culture)
dove
rose
colors
olive branch

22. Archetypes in Creation/Origin Myths
Common archetypal 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—early science (e.g. how evil came to exist, how death came to be, the reason for thunder and other natural occurances, etc.)

23. Creation/Origin Myths in Unit
Native American “How the World Was Made”
Hebrew Bible—Genesis Creation
Egyptian—Osiris and Isis