4629 - LIT 222 - Mythology and Folklore

Outline and Activity

Folk Literature: Mythology and Folklore – An Overview
TOPIC 1: Folk Literature as a Relevant Historical Artifact
TOPIC 2: Genres of Folk Literature
TOPIC 3: Theories Related to Folk Literature
FOLKLORE is the oldest type of literature. Several forms or known as genres have been
developed and transmitted from one generation to the next. These types have been commonly
transmitted through words of mouth and naturally pervade the communities even in the modern
era.
RESEARCH: Activity 1: What are the various genres of folk literature?
What are the characteristics of each?
Provide the handwritten copy of the activity. You must write your answers in a sheet of short
white bond paper (letter size) and submit to me personally.

Folklore is a collection of fictional stories about animals and people, as well as cultural myths,
jokes, and proverbs. Songs, stories, and even quotes are included. It is a cultural description
that has been passed down orally. Many have been passed down from generation to
generation, though many are now in written form. Folklore is also referred to as "Folk literature,"
or "oral traditions."
Folklore depicts how main characters deal with everyday life events, such as conflicts or
disasters. Simply put, folk literature is about personal experiences from a specific society.
Folklore is the study of folk tradition and knowledge. Despite the fact that some folklore depicts.
Folklore tradition also includes universal truths, unfounded beliefs, and superstitions.

Various genres of folk literature and its characteristics

Folk Tales: (The stories originating in popular culture typically passed on by word of mouth)
The oral fictional tale, from whatever ultimate origin, is practically universal both in time and
place. Certain people tell very simple stories and other tales of great complexity, but the basic
pattern of the taleteller and audience is found everywhere and as far back as can be learned.
Differing from legend or tradition, which is usually believed, the oral fictional tale gives the
storyteller absolute freedom as to credibility so long as he stays within the limits of local taboos
and tells tales that please. A folktale travels with great ease from one storyteller to another.
Since a particular story is characterized by its basic pattern and by narrative motifs rather than
by its verbal form, it passes language boundaries without difficulty.
Tall Tales: A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual.
Some tall tales are exaggerations of actual events, for example fish stories ("the fish that got
away") such as, "That fish was so big, why I tell ya', it nearly sank the boat when I pulled it in!"
Events are often told in a way that makes the narrator seem to have been a part of the story; the
tone is generally good-natured. Fables: Fables are simple stories that incorporate characters
(typically animals) whose actions teach a moral lesson or universal truth. E.g: The Tortoise and
the Hare. Often the moral is stated at the end of the story. Fables have appealed to both adults
and children, yet many fables demand abstract thinking, and their points are often lost on
children.The use of animals as symbols for human behavior often has made fables safe, yet
effective, political tools.The first known collection of fables in the Western world is “Aesop’s
fables”.
Myths: (Greek word – “mythos” which means thought, story or speech) Myths include the
legendary or traditional stories, with an event or hero, with or without facts. A myth is a
traditional story that may answer life's overarching questions, such as the origins of the world
(the creation myth) or of a people. A myth can also be an attempt to explain mysteries,
supernatural events, and cultural traditions. Sometimes sacred in nature, a myth can involve
godsor other creatures. It presents reality in dramatic ways. Eg: King Midas
Epics: The word epic is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective, “epikos”, which means a
poetic story. In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic
deeds of a person of unusual courage and unparalleled bravery. In order to depict this bravery
and courage, the epic uses grandiose style.

RESEARCH: Activity 2

WRITING:
INSTRUCTION: Do what is asked.
1) Distinguish Folktale from Myth
The key difference between myth and folktale is that the myth is a traditional or legendary story
that usually explains some historical phenomenon or religious concept, whereas the folktale is a
fictional story that has been passed down through generations. The line between myth and
folktale is extremely narrow. Myths and folktales, on the other hand, are fiction genres in any
culture. They are symbolic of a community's culture and traditions because they display their
lifestyles, religious beliefs, and customs, as well as their imaginative power.
2) Distinguish Epic from Legend

The distinction between legend and epic as nouns is that legend is a story of unknown origin
that describes plausible but extraordinary past events, whereas epic is a long narrative poem in
elevated or dignified language that celebrates the feats of a deity or demigod (heroic epic) or
other legendary or traditional hero.

3) Distinguish Fable from Fairy Tale

The main distinction between a fable and a fairy tale is that a fable usually ends with a moral
lesson, whereas a fairy tale is primarily for entertainment.
Fables and fairy tales are both types of folk literature. They are the stories passed down through
generations via oral tradition. The narrator's imaginative power is on full display in the fairy tale.
Furthermore, they are primarily created for the entertainment of the audience, particularly
children.

ANALYSIS: Activity 3
INSTRUCTION: From the distinctions you have made in Activity 2, draw the characteristics
which are common to all the 6 genres and briefly discuss them. You must write your answers in
a short bond white (letter size) and submit them to me personally.
ACTION: Activity 4 INSTRUCTION: Record yourself singing a FOLKSONG. At the beginning of
your recording, mention the TITLE, SOURCE (from whom you heard/learned the song and age
of the source) Work individually. ONLINE learners are to upload their outputs in GC. OFFLINE
learners are to save their outputs in a USB drive. Submission shall be announced via our GC.
See our Rubrics.

INSTRUCTION: Submit your answers in a short bond white (letter size). Choose from the words
below, the folkloric genre that is described in each number.
Tall tale fairy tale folktale Fable myth
1) A brief story that teaches a lesson or moral, usually through animal characters that take on
human qualities - Fable
2) An anonymous traditional story passed on orally from one generation to another. -Tall tale
3) A highly exaggerated and often humorous story about folk heroes in local settings. The
characters in these stories might be real, but their actions are greatly exaggerated. - Myth
4) A story that involves fantasy elements such as witches, goblins, and elves. These stories
often involve princes and princesses and today are generally told to entertain children. -Fairy
tale
5) A traditional story believed to be based on actual people and events. These stories, which
typically celebrate heroic individuals or significant achievements, tend to express the values of a
culture. - Folktale