Introduce | Learn | Apply | Explore | Evaluate
Lesson 5: Traditional Fantasy
Learn:
about folktales | archetypes | motifs | cultural values & rituals
Be sure to read Chapter 7, pp. 66-76, in our text. Then read through the lecture notes below.
The Characteristics and Oral Roots of Traditional Fantasy:
The genre of traditional fantasy shows its ancient roots. Its characteristics result from the need of the storyteller to engage and enthrall her audience for an extended period of time. The original author of any folktale is unknown and these stories were spread by word of mouth from campfire to hearth.
Here are some of the unique
qualities of traditional fantasy which reflect its oral roots:
| characteristic | oral root |
|---|---|
| Plot is simple w/ a clear dramatic arc | Suspense builds up to the climax; story ends quickly |
| Plots show success of the underdog | Suggesting hope and possibility to audience |
| Characters are stereotypes and flat | Represents moral choices--good/evil, pride/humility |
| Themes are comment on humanity | Shows a lesson or a cautionary tale common to people |
| Reflects the values and customs of culture | Creates quick connection w/ hearers/familiar context |
| Have repetitive element | Helps continuity of oral tale |
| Involve audience/call and response | Gives listeners reason to pay attention |
Open a text transcript of the audio.
Categories of Traditional Fantasy:
Within the genre of traditional fantasy are many categories of stories. Our text (see pp. 70-72) does an excellent job of explaining their distinguishing qualities. These categories are as follows:- folktales
- tall tales
- fables
- myths
- epics
- ballads
- legends
- religious stories
Task
5A: Build A Folktale
This assignment gives you practice
in identifying and working with a variety of motifs and folktale types.
Your "play" with these story elements will enhance your understanding of
the way folktales work. Read the expanded description of this assignment
in the Assignments section of this website.
The Values & Perils of Traditional Fantasy:
We should also note that the value and perils of traditional fantasy are continually debated.We can argue that traditional fantasy is a pervasive part of shared human condition which transcends political and cultural boundaries. We can argue that traditional fantasy develops our capacity to believe and to hope. We can argue that traditional fantasy encourages us to imagine opportunities and ways of living.
In contrast, others will argue that such imaginings encourage children to be out of touch with reality, that the violence in such imaginings is dangerous to young minds, that traditional fantasies frighten young children, and finally, that traditional fantasy is a waste of time.
Our text argues eloquently for the essential role of traditional fantasy in the lives of our children. What do you think?
About Folktales:
Our attention in this lesson will focus on folktales because their simple eloquence and their pervasiveness provide many fascinating insights into our shared cultural traditions. Be sure to read all of Chapter 7 in our text for more information about folktales.I. Folktale Archetypes:
Folktales can be divided into several archetypes. An archetype is a structure or form which has recognizable and consistent characteristics. The most common folktale archetypes can be described as follows:- cumulative tales:
These are stories where the plot elements are added to. These tales have a repetitive pattern in which the story "accumulates," similar event by similar event. Our favorite, The Napping House, is an example of the cumulative tale although it is NOT a folktale because it has an author.
Listen to Luna tell you about The Napping House (36k).
Listen to part of The Napping House and notice the repetitive pattern. (This
video is 1.4MB and could take several minutes to start playing with
a 56k modem).
Open a transcript of The Napping House.
- beast tales:
This type involves animals with human traits as the central characters. The story of the three little pigs is such a tale as is the tale of Bremen Town Musicians.
- pourquoi tales:
These tales explain "why" something happens. These tales originated as early humans tried to explain natural phenomena such as thunder or earthquakes. The wonderfully illustrated tale Arrow to the Sun is the Hopi pourquoi tale about the cultivation of corn.
- noodlehead tales:
The main character in this type of tale is dazed and confused. Isaac Bashevis Singer tells a wonderful tale of a noodlehead who journeys away from home to seek his fortune. Each night, in order to remember which direction he must travel, he places his shoes pointing in the direction he will go. His traveling companions trick him and turn his shoes pointing back toward his home town. So back he goes to his own city, thinking it is the new place where he'll seek his fortune. He earns his noodlehead label when he remarks that he is very surprised that such a new town would so resemble his own home town. He is even amazed when he sees a woman looking exactly like his mother! These stories are humorous and entertaining and always kind to the noodleheads they describe.
- trickster tales:
In contrast to the noodlehead tale, the trickster tale relates the story of some character, usually an animal, who is just too smart for his own good. These tales show how easily people can be fooled, but the trickster will often have his comeuppance at the end. Favorite trickster tales involve Anansi the Spider or Coyote.
- wonder/magic tales:
The wonder/magic tales are often called fairy tales but not all will involve little beings with wings. These tales are the most fantastic of all, and readers must suspend disbelief to enjoy them. Not surprisingly, these tales are most beloved because they tap into our very human need to imagine the magical. Fairy godmothers, magic lamps, disappearing capes--these are often part of wonder/magic tales.
II.Folktale Motifs:
Folktales will often share common motifs--plot elements which appear so frequently that they are easily recognized. You'll be able to think of folktales you've read which have featured the motifs below. Read this list. Note that no one folktale will feature all of the motifs. Still enough motifs will appear in any one folktale to highlight its traditional roots.The motifs really need no other explanation, but if you have any questions be sure to email me. You might also add your own motifs if you've found one we've missed.
Common Motifs: A folktale might include one or more of the following:
- a younger brother/sister who is good
- conversely, the elder brother/sister who is mean or evil
- a clever trickster
- a wicked stepmother
- a poor or mistreated younger child
- the use of magical objects
- a marvelous transformation
- a long sleep or enchantment
- magical powers
- an incantation (Mirror Mirror on the wall.....)
- three wishes
- trickery
- the power of naming (think Rumplestiltskin)
- invisibility
- becoming stuck (think of the golden goose)
- the number 3 or 7
- a repetitive phrase
- a journey
- repetitive tasks
- wise/foolish beast
- time is past
III. Folktales Reflect the Cultural Values & Rituals of their Country of Origin:
Folktales are fascinating not only because of their shared motifs, but also because they so accurately reflect the cultural values and rituals of their specific country of origin (COO). These cultural indicators are many, but some that you should recognize are listed below:- the language reflects the oral tradition of the COO
- the flora and fauna described within the tale are indigenous to the COO
- the characters use dialect or speech patterns or interjections common to the COO
- clothing and everyday objects will reflect the culture
- rites of passage or rituals mark important human milestones common to the COO
- the style or rhythm of the story will reflect the culture
You might read the Japanese folktale The Stonecutter and recognize the spiritual teachings which sustain the story are much a part of Asian culture. Or you might read Arrow to the Sun and note the reverence for water that the Hopi living in dry country must have developed.
It is the strength and beauty
of folktales that they spring organically from the hearts and minds of
the people who tell them. A folktale will be an intimate and mundane insight
into the culture of the country of its origin. You readers will not only
enjoy the folktales you read, but also will learn a little more about
the culture they describes.