FOLKTALES, FAIRY TALES, AND FABLES

Mrs. Colley

FOLKTALE

A folktale is a traditional narrative that is passed down by word of mouth. Different forms of folktales may include legends, fairy tales, animal tales, trickster tales, fables and myths. Trickster tales feature a wily animal character who tries to outsmart other characters.

TRADITIONAL MOTIFS AND ELEMENTS OF FOLKTALES

May have people or animals as the main characters

Often have a moral Main character often learns an important

lesson Wishes are granted Features a significant number (usually this is

three, but it is four in Native American tales) Trickery Magic objects Youngest and smallest character is

successful

COMMON FOLKTALE THEMES

Security Fear or leaving home Fear of not being loved or giving love Good vs. evil Right and wrong Justice and injustice Happiness, kindness, friendship Love and loyalty Love and loyalty can transform… Basic values of people

CHARACTERIZATION IN FOLKTALES

Characters are flat. Either very good or very bad with most characteristics exaggerated.

SETTING OF FOLKTALES

Place is described easily and briefly. Humble cottage, magic kingdom.

Time is usually long-ago

PLOT IN FOLKTALES

Full of action and follows simple patterns. Conflicts are usually resolved with great

deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil.

MAGIC IN FOLKTALES

Magic objects such as: mirror, beans, golden objects.

Spells, enchantments, magical transformations.

Ugly person casts a spell on… Spell is broken and turns into a…

EXAMPLES OF FOLKTALES

Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears (Africa) Raven (trickster tale from America) Anansi (tricksters tale from W. Africa) Yah-Shen: A Cinderalla story from China

FAIRY TALES

Fairy tales are a specific type of folktale that include one or more elements of magic. Fairy tales have originated in Europe,

Asia, Africa, with the same tales appearing at different times in different countries.

There are 1,500 versions of the Cinderella tale

CHARACTERISTICS OF FAIRY TALES

Include an element of magic Often begin with “Once upon a time” Often end with “and they lived happily ever

after” Have fairies, witches, and other magical

creatures Demonstrate good vs. evil (good always wins)

Hero goes on a long journey

FABLES

A fable is a brief story that illustrates a moral and/or teaches a lesson. Fables feature non-human characters including animals or inanimate objects that speak and behave like humans. Aesop’s fables from Greece in 6th century B.C., are famous examples.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FABLES

Moral or lesson to learn Animal or other inanimate characters Short in length

LEGENDS

A legend is a narrative that retells events with surprising elements of remarkable deeds. It often has an historical basis or connection

.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEGENDS

Believed to be true by the originators Realistic in nature (sound like they could

have happened) Set in a specific time, historical or present. Always include humans

LEGEND EXAMPLES

Hercules King Arthur Robin Hood William Tell

TALL TALES

Tall tales are America stories that feature a larger than life hero/character.

Tall tales include exaggeration and boldness. The language of tall tales include slang and vernacular.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TALL TALES

Main character with a specific problem to solve or job to do

Exaggerated details and descriptions Everyday language

TALL TALE EXAMPLES

Paul Bunyan Johnny Appleseed Pecos Bill