Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Genre Focus: Folk Tale



In contrast to myths, folk tales are not about the gods, nor are they about the origins of the world. Told primarily for entertainment, folk tales are not taken as truthful or factual by their audience.
The characters in folk tales are usually ordinary humans or animals that act like humans. Typically the humans are peasants or other members of lowly classes; often, they are portrayed as having better values than the rich and powerful.
These tails are told in a simple style, sometimes with each character representing a human trait (greed, curiosity, kindness and so on). Many folk tales feature a kind or cruel supernatural being, such as a giant fairy godmother. Magic and enchantment may play a key role in some of these stories.
The themes of folk tales are usually simple – the reward of good, the punishment of evil, the exposing of a fool. Some folk tales teach practical lesson for living; others illustrate moral truths or offer warning about dangers to avoid. Many folk tales are comical and poke fun at human weaknesses, such as the trickster tales found in most cultures. In trickster tales a smart person or animal outwits or takes advantage of some fool.


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