MYTHS AND FOLKTALES

Myths and Folktales…

1. Tell about the beginnings of things.2. Include marvelous events.3. Tell the adventures and deeds of

heroes and heroines.4. Explain rituals.5. Are passed down from generation to

generation, most often by word of mouth.

6. Explain the Human Experience.7. Tell us who we are, where we came

from, and what we believe in.

Myths and Folktales… Are the stories of a culture. They are oral narratives, usually of anonymous authorship, that are repeated from one generation to the next.

They reflect a combination of history, psychology, sociology, and religion.

VIRTUALLY ALL SOCIETIES HAVE THEM!

Myths and Folktales….

Are similar in nature, following basic archetypes, regardless of the fact that it is believed that they developed separate from one another.

They are similar because, regardless of culture, human beings ask the same questions…who are we, where did we come from, why does the sun rise? Etc.

Myths and Folktales…. Provide answers to commonly asked questions. They help give the world order. They unite cultures, providing them with a common ancestry and a shared destiny.

Archetypes A pattern or model that serves as the basis for different, but related, versions of a character, plot, image or theme. They serve as the “basic model” for myths and folktales, while cultural differences are added.

EX: soap operas, hero, family sit-com

Creation Myths Tales about beginnings Explain how the universe was created, how humans came to be, how fire was discovered, etc.

They answer our most basic questions… How? Why? Where?

Myth defined An anonymous, traditional story that explains a belief, custom, or mysterious natural phenomenon (setting of the sun, phases of the moon, etc.)

They probably had religious origins. Explain things like how the world was created, why people die, etc.

Created to help make sense of the universe, its inhabitants and its customs.

Folktale defined A story told by common people (or “folk”) for entertainment purposes or to teach values.

Examples: tall tales, legends, fables and fairy tales

Generally, folktales follow a universal narrative form – very traditional!

Originality is undesirable.

Folktales differ from Myths because…Folktales Are not religious Serve as entertainment and as moral teachings

Have “common” folk heroes with no supernatural powers, versus the gods and goddesses who are often found in myths.

Are not associated with religious rituals.

Yet, folktales and myths are similar because… Both include marvelous events, heroes and heroines.

Both reveal common truths, patterns, and themes that are familiar to all ages and cultures.

Both stem from the oral tradition, and continue to be passed down through word of mouth.