Unit III :Lesson

1

Folklore and FolktalesFolklore

was invented by an English Scholar named William John Thomas.

It is a science that embraces observances and customs, notions, beliefs, traditions, superstitions and prejudices of the common people.

Importance of Folklore

It is important in explaining social history of man kind.

It is helpful in the study of comparative mythology and science of religion.

It helps us to understanding the relationship between races and on the development of religion, beliefs and ceremonies.

A great assistance to the ethnologists, sociologist, historians and students of comparative mythology and science of religion.

Kinds of FolkloreKinds of Folklore

1) Traditional literature in narrative form:a) folktalesb) Hero tales

c) Ballads and song

d) Legends of places2) Traditional customs

a) Local customs

b) Astrology

c) Festivals customs

d) Games

3) Superstitious and beliefs a) witchcraftb) Astrology

c) Superstitious practices

d) Superstitious beliefs and fancies

4) Folk speech a) Popular sayingsb) Popular nomenclature

c) Proverbsd) Jingles, Rhymes, Riddles

Earliest form of literature is called Folk LiteratureThere are certain qualities common to all folk literature:

Concerned more with action rather

than reflection;

Concerned with physical heroism

Concerned with mysterious and

powerful influences

Story for Children: FOLKTALES

Folktales

Refers to a traditional narrative of unknown authorship that has been handed down from generation to generation.

This olds stories are often called Fairy tales that deals with a character that are mysterious and powerful in influences.

Origin of Folktales:

There are two theories concerning and transmission of folktales:

1) That all folktales originated in India in the Sacred Book of Buddhism and were transmitted by migrations of peoples, by crusaders and Hebrew gypsies.

2) That many of the tales arose independently among people widely separated geographically and historically.

History of Folktales

Folktales begins at the point at which a storyteller, folklorist or anthropologist set it down in writing.

In 1697 a collection of tales was produced named Comtes de Ma Mere L’Oye or Tales of My Mother Goose appeared bearing the name of a Frenchman, Charles Perrault.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

The German brother who made the real collection of tales.

They gathered the tales they heard from old folks throughout their travels in Germany and published them later between 1812 to 1815.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales

Is the first translation of Grimm’s Hausmarchen that was made by Edward Taylor.

Peter Absjornsen and Jorge Moe

Gathered also a tales throughout their travel in Norway like was has done by the Grimm’s Brother and published their first collection of Norwegian tales in 1842-1843.

And Their collection was translated into English by George Debber Dasent and issued under the title “ Tales from the Norse” in 1859.

James Orchard Halliwell

Was responsible enough in appearing a systematic folktales in England in 1849. He called his work as Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Tales.

The Three Bears

The best known nursery tales by Robert Southey in 1774-1843.

Primary Characteristics of Folktales1) Has no known individual author.

2) Has no fixed or original form.3) Has a brief introduction.

4) Adapted to any age 5) Has simple plot that is easy to remember.6) Characters appeal to both children and adults.7) Has element of magic that appeals to children.

Values of Folktales1) Gives pleasure and enjoyment to children.2) Stirs the imagination.3) Gives insight into life .4) Used for illustration.5) Used for dramatization.6) Develops ear training.7) Plays role in the emotional development of children.

8) Develops confidence and courage in children against fear of the unknown.

Types of Folktales1) Accumulative Tale.

2) Talking Beast Stories

4) Myths3) Droll or Humorous Stories

5) Epics and Hero Tales6) Legends7) Fables8) Fairy Tales9) Religious Tales10) Roman Tales11) Realistic Stories

Desirable Uses of Folktales

1) For entertainment

2) For illustration

3) For Puppets

4) For storytelling

Unit III :Lesson 2

& 3

MythsMythology

Is a body of myths describing the gods of the people, demigods and legendary human beings in stories which involves supernatural elements.

Myths

Have more specialized meaning and refers to the stories in which gods, goddesses and other pagan divinities plays apart.

It is also a story that explains primitive man’s idea of the origin of the universe, the mysteries of natural phenomena.

Explain matters in the science of a pre-specific age and will stay longer as long as the divinity of it’s actors is recognized.

Sources of Mythology:Greek and Roman Mythology

The Roman had no system of mythology of their own . They adopted the mythology of the Greeks , but changed the name of the gods.

The Roman and Greeks had not the same gods, but the same demigods.

Greeks

Zeus Ruler of the heavens and earth

Romans

Jupiter or Jove

Hera Queen of the heaven Juno

Poseidon God of the Sea Neptune

Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty Venus

Athena Goddess of wisdom Minerva

Apollo God of the Sun Apollo

Artemis Goddess of moon and of the chase

Diana

Ares

Hermes

Heracles

God of war

Messenger of Zeus and of Gods

Strong man

Mars

Mercury

Hercules

Norse Myths

Came from scandinavian countries.

More serious in tone and plot than the Greek myths.

Odin Ruler of heaven and earth

Norse Myths

German Myths

The names of ditties differ only slightly from those of the Norse

German MythsWotan

Freya Goddess of love and beauty

Thor God of war

Valkyries The messenger

Types of Myths

1) The “Why” Stories

Examples:

“Why the Sunflower Turns to the Sun”

“Why the Woodpecker Has a Red Head”

“Why Arachne Was Changed into a Spider”

2) The Allegory Stories

“King Midas”

Values of Myths

1) There is a dramatic quality about myths that captures the imagination of the poets and children.

2) Many English poems are filled with classical allusions from myths.

3) Subjects of sculpture and graphic arts are taken from the Greek and Roman myths.

4) The furnish background epics of all countries

5) They serve to explain the origin and meaning of many words in everyday use.

Legends

Legends

Is a narrative that is partly imaginary about a particular person, event, place or natural features.

This is a form of story containing miracles and wonders handed down from generation to generation through they are not authenticated by accepted proof.

Closely allied to history although it is not verifiable.

The Difference Between Myths and Legends

1) The myth is an interpretation of nature.

1) Legend is the idealization of history

2) Myths are stories in which god, goddess and

other divinities play a part.

2) Legends are stories of wonder not only of gods and goddesses but about animals

and other things.

3) Myths are found everywhere in one form

or another.

3) Legend lies within one or two localities and has one or two characters whose names.

4) Legend is usually built one episode on a single act of the

hero.

Legendary Heroes According to Nationality

1) English Legends

a) Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel

b) Robin Hood Tales

c) How Saint George Slew the Dragon

d) King Arthur and His Sword

2) French Legends

a) Roland and His Horn

3) Scandinavian Legends

a) Sigurd’s Youth

4) Spanish Legends

a) The Legends of Cid Rodrigo Diaz de Benar

5) North America Legend

a) The Legend of Paul Bunyan

Filipino Legends According to Subject:

A) Legendary Heroes

a) The Legend of Lam-Ang

b) The Legend of Bernardo Carpio

B) Legends about Places

a)Legend of Gapan, Manila,etc

b) Legend about every town and province

C) Legend about Nature

a) Legend of the Mt. Makiling and other forms of mountains.

b) Legend about the origins of the Universe, Legend about the Sun, Moon and the Stars.

D) Legend About Plants

a) Legend of the Banana

a) Legend of the Pineapple

b) Legend of the Lanzones

b) Legend of the Macopa etc.

E) Legend About Flowers

a) Legend of the Sampaguita

b) Legend of the Ilang-Ilang

F) Legend About Animals

a) Legend of the Smallest Fish in the Philippines

b) Legend of the First Monkey

Values of Legends in the Children’s Literature

1) Legend as a source of children’s literature deals with religious facts.

2) Legend deals with historical background.

3) They develop vivid and fantastic ,imagination.

4) Some legends give children a moral lesson.

5) Legends help acquaint children with the culture phase of the country.

6) They give pleasure and enjoyment to the children.

Unit III :Lesson 4

Epics

Epics

Comes from the Greek word “epos” which means saying or a song.

Is a form of narrative wherein tragedy, comedy, lyric, dirge, and idyll are skillfully blended to form an immoral work.

Strongly national in it’s presentation of human character.

Classification of Hero Tales According to Nationality

America

How Tony Beaver Built the Candy Dam

Paul Bunyan’s Flapjack Griddle

Joe Magarac: Man of Steel

American Indians

English

Beowulf

King Arthur and the Round Table

Robin hood

Roland

The Story of Odyssey

Sigurd the Volsung

Beginning of Atlanta

The Winged Horse

Pandora

France

Irish

Greek

Oisin In the Land of Youth

Heroes of Asgard

Fin M’Cowl and the Giant

The Making of the Hammer

William Tell

Spain

India

Swiss

Norse

El Cid ( Rodrigo Diaz de Bevar )

Rama

Philippines

Bernardo Carpio

Mariang Makiling

Lam-ang

Characteristics of Hero Tales

d) Vigor in style

c) Simplicity of language

b) Singleness of motive

a) Directness of action

2) They possess qualities of good adventure which children like:

1) Hero tales are historical, biographical , mythical and legendary stories of heroes.

3) The heroes present ideals of life and conduct worthy of emulation.

4) The exploits and deeds of heroes are worth workshopping.

5) The heroes succeed because of their ingenuity, valor, perseverance and other virtues.

6) The style in which the story is told is serious, dignified and there is objectivity.

Values of Hero Tales

1) Develop in the child good moral character.2) Enlarge the child’s vocabulary.3) Develop the imagination.4) Give good background .