Unit Study
Myths, Fables, Legends,
Fairytales, and Folk Tales
 Oral tradition exists in all cultures!
 Pre-literate times.
 Stories have been passed down from one generation to
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the next.
The goal of such story telling is to impart a lesson or
moral, and convey to the listeners social codes of
conduct.
Additionally, these stories preserve cultural identity.
“Rule of Three” Part of the story is repeated three times,
with minor variations. The first two instances build
tension, and the third releases it by incorporating a twist.
The stock formula of the first, second, and third attempts
makes the story easier to remember.
 Storytellers traditionally
hold a high place of
honor in his society.
 The duties of an oral
storyteller includes:
advisor, court singer,
poet, tribal historian,
genealogist, teacher,
composer, critic,
warrior, traveler, and
reporter.
Nicknames:
 Griots—West Africa
 Bards—Gaelic
 Ashiks—Arabic
 Scops—Anglo-Saxon
 Brahmans—Hindu
Elements of Myths
Examples of Myths
 Ancient stories dealing
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with supernatural beings,
heroes, ancestors, or gods
 Attempts to explain
mysteries, supernatural
events, and cultural
traditions
 Events are symbolic not
intended to be factual
 Themes: Origin stories,
lessons about moral
behavior and social values.
Noah’s Arc & flood myths
12 Labors of Hercules
Achilles' Heel
Odysseus and Cyclops
Oedipus Rex
Creation myths
Pandora’s Box
Prometheus’ Fire
In class reading: Sacred Texts
“Rig Veda”, Navajo creation
myth, “Tao Te Ching”
Elements of Fables
Examples of Fables
 Short and simple, belongs to the
 Aesop “Tortoise and the Hare”
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oral tradition of story telling.
Protagonist is sometimes an
anthropomorphized animal—
has human traits and abilities
Story is pure fiction but still
conveys a moral or lesson
Poetic elements include double
meaning, and symbolism—the
animals reflect human nature
A person who writes fables is
a fabulist
 Beatrix Potter “Peter Rabbit”
 David Sedaris “Squirrel Seeks
Chipmunk”
 Doctor Seuss
 George Orwell’s Animal Farm
In class reading:
The Dog and the Wolf
 Amoral figure, does not see
right from wrong.
 Trickster’s key skill is wit
and cunning.
 Sometime the trickster
himself is tricked but will
still find a way to teach his
opponent a lesson.
Trickster possesses a balance of
opposite traits
 Omniscient creator and innocent fool
 Malicious destroyer and childish
prankster
 Physical underdog but clever and savvy
Trickster figures include:
 Br'er Rabbit - of African American
origin.
 Coyote- of native North America.
In class reading: “Anansi’s
fishing expedition”
Elements of Legends
 Oral tradition, passed down
through word of mouth
 Historical basis, includes some
verifiable evidence or facts
 Exaggerates elements of a real
hero or amalgamation of
heroes
 Focuses on the cultural values
of a specific people, explains
why they believe and act as
they do
Examples of Legends
Lost city of Atlantis
William Tell shooting the apple with
an arrow
Robin Hood
St. Patrick and St. Valentine
In class reading selections
 Epic Heroes: Beowulf, Ramayana
 Legend of the Holy Grail
 Chivalric Heroes: King Arthur and
the Knights of the Round Table
Elements of Fairy Tales
 Pure fiction, fantasy and
make believe
 Doesn’t have to include
fairies, but has elements
of magic, enchantment,
transformation and
supernatural beings
 Theme: good versus evil
 Once upon a time…
happily ever after
Examples of Fairy Tales
 “Rapunzel”
 “Snow White”
 Brother’s Grimm
 Hans Christian Andersen
 L. Frank Baum Wizard of Oz
In class reading selections
“Cinderella”
Elements of Folk Tales
Examples of Folk Tales
 A story for or about a specific
 Gravity Hill in Bedford PA
group of people/town or country
 Historical basis, includes some
verifiable facts but is
exaggerated
 Doesn’t have to teach a lesson or
moral, the theme can show pride
for a particular place or culture
 Any belief or story passed on
traditionally, especially one
considered to be false or based
on superstition
 Urban Legends
 Big Foot
 Johnny Appleseed
 Paul Bunyan
 St. Niklaus
In class reading selections
“La Llorona: The Weeping Woman”
 The chief purpose of a myth is to explain
 The chief purpose of a fable is to instruct
 The chief purpose of a legend is to record
important events
 The chief purpose of fairy tales and folk
tales is to entertain the audience