1. World Myths and Folktales English II

2. Myth and Folktales  The world’s oldest stories  Passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation  These stories have always been important to people

3.  “There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before” (Willa Cather).  “Myths and folktales remain vital to modern readers because they reveal common truths, patterns, and themes that are familiar to all ages and cultures” (5).

4. Myths and folktales  Tell about the beginning of things  Include marvelous or supernatural events  Tell of heroic deeds and adventures  Explain to origins of various rituals that people follow  Are passed down from generation to generation  Explain the human experience

5.  They tell us in poetic, imaginative terms, the most important things we can communicate to one another: who we are, where we came from, and what we believe in  “Myth and folktales are in some ways even ‘truer’ that history” (Joseph Campbell).

6. What is a myth?  An anonymous, traditional story that explains a belief, a custom, or a mysterious natural phenomenon  Comes from the Greek word muthos, which means “story”

7. Myths had specific purposes in their culture  To explain the creation of the world and the universe  To explain the human condition: how and why people were created, why they are flawed, why there is suffering in the world, why people must eventually die, and what happens to people after they death  To explain natural phenomenon such as the setting of the sun and the phases of the moon

8.  To explain the nature of gods and goddesses and how these deities and human beings interact  To explain the meanings behind religious rituals, customs and beliefs  To explain historical events  To teach moral lessons

9. Folktales  Created by the common “folk”  Passed along from generation to generation  Include legends, fables, tall tales, fairy tales, and ghost stories

10. The difference between myths and folktales  They are secular (nonreligious)  Created for entertainment value as well as for teaching morals  They feature magic, transformations just as myths do but gods and goddesses are not the central actors in the story  Folktale heroes are common, everyday folk without special powers  They are not associated with religious rituals

11.  Myths are a direct expression of a culture’s religious beliefs; folktales are not!!

12. Archetypes: Hero Archetype Hero ArchetypeHero Archetype  A pattern or model that serves as the basis for different, but related, versions of a character, plot, or theme

13. Archetype: Trickster  Trickster – a character who brings something evil or undesirable into the world ▫ The coyote is a very popular trickster archetype, found in many different cultures, especially Native American Indian cultures The snake is another common trickster archetype found in many different world cultures Tricksters are often (but not always) animal characters Note: a trickster may or may not be a malicious or purposefully harmful/hurtful character Archetype: Trickster Archetype: Trickster

14. Archetype: Significant Numbers ▪ Significant Numbers – many cultures have significant or important numbers that often reoccur in mythic and folktale stories ▫ Native American Indian cultures often refer to the number four as sacred: four seasons, four directions, four elements ▫In the Christian religion, twelve, seven and three are all significant numbers: twelve apostles, seven days of creation, the holy trinity

15. Archetype: Floods  Floods – many mythic and folktale stories from many different cultures reference a flood, usually a symbol of a new beginning or cleansing

16. Archetype: Characters  Characters – stories often have the same essential character in their protagonist and/or antagonist Characters – stories often have the same essential character in their protagonist and/or antagonist Characters – stories often have the same essential character in their protagonist and/or antagonist ▫ Disney has made a fortune by recreating classic fables into “fairy tales,” often using the same Princess character as a protagonist; these Disney Princesses are inherently kind, despite their personal troubles, are searching for love and happiness, and are usually rewarded in the end for their caring and kindness; these Princesses are essentially the same character. Disney has made a fortune by recreating classic fables into “fairy tales,” often using the same Princess character as a protagonist; these Disney Princesses are inherently kind, despite their personal troubles, are searching for love and happiness, and are usually rewarded in the end for their caring and kindness; these Princesses are essentially the same character. Disney has made a fortune by recreating classic fables into “fairy tales,” often using the same Princess character as a protagonist; these Disney Princesses are inherently kind, despite their personal troubles, are searching for love and happiness, and are usually rewarded in the end for their caring and kindness; these Princesses are essentially the same character.