Elements of a Folktale

1. Elements of a Folktale African Folktales: A Middle School Unit Amy Madigan Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy

2. What is a Folktale? • Folktales were the oral tradition of adults • They were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth • They are stories about peoples’ lives and imaginations as they struggled with their fears and anxieties about the world around them • Folktales were made up to explain the wonders of the world

3. Different Types of Folktales • Trickster Tales • Fables • Pourqoui stories • Fairytales

4. Trickster Tales • One character, usually the protagonist, is clever and devious • The protagonist causes problems for the other characters • Usually goes unpunished • Example “Trickster” Characters: Anansi the Spider (Africa), Hare (North America), Wolf( Europe), Badger (Japan)

5. Fables • These are usually considered short stories that teach a lesson or have a moral • The main characters of Fables are usually animals with human characteristics • Themes are evident, such as cooperation or different perspectives of the same problem • The moral is never stated, but needs to be inferred by the reader Examples of Fables: Tortoise and the Hare, Town Mouse and Country Mouse

6. Pourquoi Stories • Explain WHY something is as it is • Explains HOW something came to be Examples of Pourquoi stories: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears The Story of Lightning and Thunder

7. Fairytales • Include good and bad characters • Usually has a hero or heroine • Has Magic • Often begins with “Once upon a time” • Conflicts are resolved through kindness, courage or intelligence

8. Common Elements of a Folktale:Theme • Fear of not being loved • Fear of leaving home • Good and Evil • Right and Wrong • Happiness, Kindness, Friendship, Loyalty

9. Common Elements of a Folktale: Characterization • Characters are usually flat, meaning that they are uncomplicated and change only in their mindset (from the lesson learned) throughout the course of the story • The hero is usually young and fair, kind, charitable, honorable, courageous, unselfish, and may possess some sort of special power.

10. Common Elements of a Folktale:Setting • Place is usually described easily and briefly, leaving the imagination to fill in the gaps. For example, folktales take place in a cottage in the woods or in a magical kingdom • Time is fantasy time, such as Once upon a time, or A long time ago

11. Common Elements of a Folktale: Plot • Folktales are full of action and follow a basic plotline of events, that usually starts quickly to grab the readers attention. • Conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness.

12. Common Elements of a Folktale:Style and Tone • Descriptions are quick and to the point, but create strong images without a lot of language. • Often there are promises made or promises broken. • The number three is used in a lot of folklore. • Magic is commonly used, to explain the unexplainable. • Sometimes, folktales have repeated phrases. • Folktales explain a natural phenomena that otherwise would have no explanation.

13. Your Task • With a partner, collect two or three folktales. Read them together, and locate the elements of the folktale that are evident in your selections. Be prepared to share your work with the class