Once Upon a Time… Traditional Literature

1. Once Upon a Time…Traditional Literature Characteristics and Markers of Quality

2. LISTEN! Quiet your faces; be crossed every thumb; Fix on me deep your eyes… And out of my mind a story shall come— Old, and lovely, and wise. --Walter de la Mare

3. TRADITIONAL LITERATURE… • Is a body of ancient stories & poems preserved & passed down by storytellers • Is attributed to entire groups of people or cultures • No identifiable author • Includes many types of stories • Most are fantasy, but some are realistic • Has common characteristics of the literary elements (plot, characters, setting, writing style, themes..) • Functioned to pass cultural values on through generations

4. Plot • In traditional tales, story… • Is shorter than in other genres • Quickly introduces conflict • Often has recurring actions • Has a quick resolution & ending • Storyteller used this element to hold attention of audience

5. Characterization • Less developed than in any other genre • Uni-dimensional • Good characters: completely good • Bad characters: completely evil • Consider: What actions are rewarded? What actions are punished? • This aspect of characterization can point to theme • Themes reflect values of culture in which story originated

6. Setting (Time & Place) • Vague (In the beginning…) (Long ago in a land far away…) • May be “formulaic” (Once upon…) • Time: The far distant past • Place: Often symbolic; careful description not needed • As you read, consider • In picture storybooks, how is setting portrayed in illustrations? Who makes that decision? • Is there anything in the setting that is symbolic? • Does it reflect the tension in the plot? • Does it symbolize the theme?

7. Theme • What is “theme”? • A universal truth or lesson to be learned • Reflects values of culture in time of story’s origin • Often involves moral issues • Consider • What character qualities and behaviors are rewarded…punished? • How do plot, characterization, and setting contribute to the theme?

8. Style of Language • Remember: Stories all began as oral tales • Memory of storyteller is limited • Capacity of audience to remember is limited • Simple--Only necessary description • Realistic conversation • Often enriched with repeating refrains • Some use dialect of time/place • Motifs—recurring features such as the number 3

9. CHOOSING/EVALUATING TRADITIONAL LITERATURE • Does it preserve the storytelling style ? • Does it preserve the flavor of the culture or country of its origin? • Use of colloquialisms, unusual speech patterns, proper names common to the culture, a few foreign terms • Do illustrations (if present) fit well with the tone of the text and portray the essence of the culture of origin? Are they well done? • Does the writing exemplify a rich literary style?

10. Folktales • A Sub-Category of Traditional Literature • Found in every culture • Originated in lives/imaginations of the people or “folk” • Children’s favorite type of traditional lit (from age of 3 on) • Vary in content based on original intended audience • King’s court and Nobility-tales of valor, heroism, benevolence of ruling class (called castle tales) • Common people-ruling classes are portrayed as unjust or hard taskmasters (called cottage tales) • Riches were considered “fair game” for common folk who were clever or strong enough to acquire them Folktales: