Elements of
Literature
folktales
You will be learning
about the following
folktales:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fables
Myths
Legends
Fairy tales
Tall tales
Fables
What is a fable exactly?
Definition:
A fable a fictitious (not real)
story or tale, intended to
instruct some useful truth
(lesson or moral) or to amuse.
Fables
What distinguishes a fable from
other types of stories?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
They are fiction (not real)
They have a simple plot and are generally
very short
The characters are few, are animals, and act
like humans (personification)
Each character represents a single human
characteristic (ex. The fox as being a
trickster)
The setting can be anywhere and the time is
real
The ending teaches a lesson or a moral
fables reflect on human strengths and
weaknesses and lead the reader to new
insight or understanding
Fables
Examples:
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6.
7.
8.
9.
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
Tortoise and the Hare
three fishes
talkative Turtle
monkey and the crocodile
ant and the grasshopper
lion and the mouse
cat and the fox
lion with bad breath
indigo Jackal
Myths
What are myths exactly?
Definition:
A traditional story about a hero or event
(with or without any proven evidence of
really existing or happening). It also uses
gods and demigods as characters and
explains some practice, rite, or
phenomenon of nature.
Myths
What distinguishes myths from other types
of stories?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
They explain how something in nature looks
or happens (ex. How the seasons change or
how the world was created)
Characters are few and may be humans, gods,
or demigods
The plot has plenty of action, and can focus
on obstacles and challenges
The setting is relevant to a culture, can take
place in the past or real time.
They are often linked to religion and
Believed to be true stories by the people who
tell them.
Often told in third person narrative (POV)
Myths
Examples
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The abduction of Persephone (Greek)
Earth-Maker (native American)
The Primary Chronicle (Slavic)
Obatala (Yoruba people of Nigeria)
Arachne the Spinner (Greek)
Pandora’s box (greek)
The great flood
Legends
What are legends
exactly?
Definition:
a nonhistorical or unverifiable story
(can’t be proven true or false) handed
down by tradition from earlier times
and popularly excepted as
historical.
Legends
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What distinguishes a legend from
other types of stories?
Legends are told as if they are
historically accurate
It may or may not be an exaggerated
version of an actual historical
event
Set in a definite time period
Can be handed down orally or in
writing
Generally feature humans as their
main characters
Legends
Examples
1. Robin Hood
2. Sir Arthur and the knights of
the round table
3. The odyssey
4. The iliad (battle of troy)
5. The founding of rome by
romulus and remus
6. The legend of king bladud
Fairy tales
What are fair tales exactly?
Definition:
A story for children with
elves, hobgoblins,
dragons, fairies or other
magical creatures
Fairy tales
What distinguishes fairy tales from other
types of stories?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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9.
They often include special beginning and ending
phrases such as “once upon a time” and “happily ever
after” and are known to be fiction
Setting is in the past and often includes castles,
kingdoms and enchanted forests
The characters of often royalty such as kings,
queens, princes, and princesses
They include fantasy, supernatural, or makebelieve aspects
They often have clearly defined good and evil
characters
The theme is often good vs. evil
They often have happy endings and teach a lesson
They have magical beings such as witches, wizards,
dwarfs, giants, etc…
They are written by a single identifiable author
Fairy tales
Examples
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Cinderella
Sleeping beauty
Little red riding hood
Snow white and the seven dwarfs
Pinocchio
the bear
Beauty and the beast
Cupid and psyche
The elves and the shoemaker
The little mermaid
Tall tales
What are tall tales
exactly?
Definition:
a tale with unbelievable elements, but
told as if they were true.
Tall tales
what distinguishes tall tales from other
types of stories?
1.
2.
3.
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6.
Some tales are exaggerations of actual
events, like fish stories
Some are completely false set in a
familiar setting (like the American old
west)
Are often told to seem like the
narrator was part of the story (witness)
They are usually humorous and good
natured
Uniquely American
The exaggeration is so large, it becomes
the whole story
Tall Tales
Examples
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8.
Johnny appleseed
Paul Bunyan
Pecos bill
Davey Crockett
Daniel Boone
Cordwood pete
Johnny beaver
Molly pitcher