Traditional Literature

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Traditional Literature

• Dr. Peterson

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Traditional Literature

• Stories have been passed from generation to
  generation by word of mouth a traditional tale
  has no identifiable author.
• These tales are made unique by each culture and
  each generation.

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Traditional Literature

• It is suggested that primary students read a wide
  variety of traditional/folk literature. Specific
  recommendations by grade level are
• Grade 1 Folktales Cumulative/Repetitive
• Grade 2 Folktales Pourquoi Traditional
  Folktales
• Grade 3 Folktales Fairy Tales

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Traditional Literature

• Lays the groundwork for understanding all
  literature.
• Provides pleasure, helps children understand the
  world and identify with universal human
  struggles.
• Benefits
• Improve understanding of the world
• Appreciation for culture and arts of different
  countries
• Learn about cultural diffusions- similarities
  among tales that indicate movement of people
  through migration and conquests.

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Traditional Literature

• Characteristics of MOST traditional or folk
  literature

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Traditional Literature
Fables
Legends
Folktales
Myths
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Folktales
Seven types of folktales

• Cumulative/Repetitive
• Simplest of all folktales
• Charm lies in minimum plot and maximum rhythm.
• Examples Henny-Penny, Gingerbread Boy, The House
  That Jack Built

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Folktales

• Pourquoi
• Why tales that explain how animals, plants, or
  humans were created and why they have certain
  characteristics.
• Examples Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples Ears,
  How the Bear Got a Short Tail

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Folktales

• Humorous
• Allow people to laugh at themselves and others.
• Nonsense stories containing sillies, noodleheads,
  and numbskulls.
• Examples The Three Sillies, Twelve Clever
  Brothers

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Folktales

• Beast
• Best-loved and most familiar of all tales.
• Animals talk and take on human characteristics.
• Generally teach a lesson, but the lesson is not
  as directly stated as in fables.
• Examples Three Pigs, Bremen Town Musicians,
  Three Billy Goats Gruff

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Folktales

• Fairy Tales
• Large portion of tales based on magic
• Many include giants, trolls, witches, fairies,
  and elves
• Examples Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk

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Folktales

• Realistic
• Few realistic folktales included in folklore.
• May have had its origin with a real person or
  experience.
• Elements of magic are usually omitted.
• Example Dick Whittington, Zlateh the Goat

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Folktales

• American Tales
• Includes tall tales, Native American tales, and
  African American Folklore
• Tall Tales
• Combine humor and exaggeration to tell a story
  about a real or fictional hero.
• Usually the setting is the vast American
  Frontier.
• Examples Johnny Appleseed (1774-1845), Davey
  Crocket (1786-1836), Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan

Book covers from Amazon.com
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American Tales

• Native American Tales
• Includes Native American tales but also Eskimo
  and Hawaiians.
• Tales differ from tribe to tribe and region to
  region.
• Common themes include nature, animals, tribal
  beliefs, and ethical teachings.
• Examples Native American Indian Books by Paul
  Goble, Where the Buffaloes Begin by Baker

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American Tales

• African American Tales
• Reflect both African origin and adaptation to a
  new environment and the harsh reality of slavery.
• Types of stories include talking beasts,
  transformation, trickery, tall tales, pourquoi
  tales, and slave tales of freedom.
• Examples Brer Rabbit, Wiley and the Hairy Men,
  The People Could Fly

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Fables

• Short folktales that teach a lesson or moral.
• The characters are usually animals with human
  characteristics.
• Examples Aesops Fables, LaFontaines Fables,
  Jatakas Tales, Leo Lionni

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Legends

• Historical in nature, containing heroes and
  heroines who reflect a strong sense of goodness
  as they overcome universal evils.
• A combination of heroic deeds, high adventure,
  and honorable characteristics make it possible
  for a heros good name o live after him/her
• Often the deeds become more astounding as the
  legend is passed on from generation to
  generation.
• Examples King Arthur, Robin Hood

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Myths

• Contain fanciful or supernatural incidents
  intended to explain nature or tell about the gods
  and demons of early peoples.
• Long ago, the stories were taken as fact, made
  sacred by religious beliefs.
• Three types of myths creation, nature, and hero.
• Examples Hercules, The Olympians, Greek Gods and
  Heroes

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