literature assignments

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

MODULE FOUR: LECTURE ONE

Folklore is the expressive body of culture shared by a particular group of people. It encompasses the

traditions, values, and beliefs common to that culture, subculture or group. It is a function of shared

identity within the social group.

Transmission is a vital part of the folklore process. Folk artifacts are passed down informally and generally,

anonymously. These stories cannot be traced back to one particular author, but instead may be collected

by “compilers” of traditional stories and retold in literary form. One famous example of compilers of

traditional stories would be the brothers Grimm, who collected old tales and rewrote them for a modern

audience.

Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that are ostensibly historical, though often supernatural.

The word “myth” is derived from the Greek “mythos” which simply means “story.” Mythology can refer

either to the study of myths, or to a collection of myths. Myth can mean “sacred story” “traditional

narrative” or “tale of the gods.” A myth can also explain why something exists.

Human cultures’ mythologies usually include a creation myth, concerning the origins of the world. The

active beings in myths are generally gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, or animals and plants. A

myth is a sacred narrative because it holds religious or spiritual significance for those who tell it. Myths

also contribute to and express a culture’s systems of thoughts and values. Myths are stories that are

currently understood as being exaggerated or fictitious.

A legend is a genre of folklore that features human actions that supposedly took place at some point in

the past. Legend, both for the tellers and listeners, includes no happenings that are outside the realm of

possibility, but may include miracles. Many legends operate within the realm of uncertainty, never being

entirely believed or entirely disbelieved.

Sacred texts are a subset of religious texts. These texts are considered sacred because of their nature as

divinely or supernaturally revealed or inspired. In other words, they are not thought to be created by

regular human beings, but rather dictated by a god or other supernatural being. Religious texts are texts

which religious traditions consider to be central to their practice or beliefs. Religious texts may be used

to provide meaning and purpose, evoke a better connection with the divine, convey religious truths, and

guide individual and communal religious practice.

The religious texts of one religion are often thought to be myth by followers of a different religion.

Where Do Myths Come From? Some Theories:

1. They are the highest creation of the childhood of the human race. Primitive man had little science

or technology, so he made up stories to explain the world and make it seem less frightening.

2. Societies wanted to promote models for human behavior. This theory pretty much states that

myths were stories made up by more intelligent people in order to keep the less intelligent (the

masses) under control.

3. They are the organization of symbols that are psychologically significant for human beings. For

example, the dreams of human beings in different times and cultures may be surprisingly similar:

flying, going up endless stairs, falling, etc. No one ever taught us what to dream; it seems to be

something we just naturally share.

4. Expression of Cultural Art. Before the time of television or internet people needed a way to fill

up their leisure time so they sat around in groups and made up stories. And today there is no one

alive who remembers what’s true and what isn’t.