Folklore

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Folklore
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What is folklore?

• The stories of a people that have been passed
  down from generation to generation orally or as
  written tales.
• Shows the values of a culture.
• May be used to explain natural phenomenon
  (lightning, sun rising, etc).

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Folktale

• A tale circulated by word of mouth among the
  common folk
• It is a simple, timeless story that deals with
  the customs, traditions, and beliefs of ordinary
  people of a culture.
• Includes myths, fables, legends, and fairytales.

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Myth

• A story that is part of a mythology (system of
  narratives which were once generally believed to
  be true and which offer supernatural explanations
  or interpretations of reality).
• It was accepted as history of the people because
  it was their religion.
• Serves to explain the world view of a people.
• Often explains natural phenomena (showing the
  power of the gods/goddesses).

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Legend

• A story handed down from the past based on past
  events.
• Often contain a lesson and are told to uphold the
  values of the community.

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Fable

• A story in which the characters are animals whose
  actions teach a lesson.
• Includes moral at end, usually.

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Fairytale

• A folk story about real-life problems, usually
  with imaginary characters and magical events.
• Shows human qualities that are desirable in
  society.
• Not thought to be true by culture in which they
  are told.