Re: Folktales, fables, Legends, etc.

[Joan Kimball <jkim@BORG.COM>]

Phillis Schicker wants help in explaining
>"what the differences are
>between folktales, legends, fairytales, and fables."

First off I'd say that legends, fairytales and folktales are folklore as
long as they aren't a modern take-off done by a known author.  You might
even say that legends and fairytales are two types of folktales.  On the
other hand, as far as I know, fables are always the creation of known
writers, especially Aesop and LaFontaine, and they are generally short and
have a stated moral at the end. They are similar to parables or allegories.
There is a fairly long essay in _The New Book of Knowledge_ on the whole
subject of folklore.  Worth checking. I can't look at it now as I'm at
home.

My own opinion is that fairy tales, such as Beauty and the Beast or
Cinderella or Rapunzel or Rumpelstiltskin must have a magical *element* in
them, as: changing pumpkins to coaches or straw to gold, or they need to
have a magical *agent* such as a witch, a troll, or a fairy godmother.  On
the other hand, according to the _Oxford Companion to Children's
Literature_ "the supernatural does not always feature in [fairy tales], and
the heroes and heroines are usually mortal human beings.  Such creatures as
giants, dwarfs, witches and ogres frequently play a part, as well as
talking animals."  And it also says: "Though fairy stories have often been
passed on by word of mouth, they frequently show the influence of literary
treatment.  Some have been composed by identifiable authors."

I'd go on to say that the parallel category of folktale (which by
definition is not originated by an "identifiable author")  includes talking
animal tales (Three Bears, Three Little Pigs), trickster tales (Brer
Rabbit), ghost stories (The Tailypo) and pourquoi tales (Why the Sun and
the Moon Live in the Sky).  But many pourquoi stories are called myths
(Creation Myths, for instance) and many are called legends (Story of
Jumping Mouse or other Indian legends).

Another definition of legend is a bigger-than-life story about a person who
really existed, for example legends about Johnny Appleseed.  Then there are
the legends and lays of King Arthur based on a composite of several 6th
century kings of Britain, but in which a lot of magic has been
incorporated.

I don't think you can clearly separate these genres from each other.  :-)  Joan

Phyllis' entire message:
>Holiday greetings to all Big Sixers,
>
>I am a media specialist in a K-5 school.  The fifth grade teachers are doing
>a unit on fables, folktales, fairytales, and legends.  We are having some
>difficulty explaining the differences of these literary types to the
>students.  Can anyone help?  Any suggestions on what the differences are
>between folktales, legends, fairytales, and fables.
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Phyllis Schicker
> Purdy Elementary School
>Fort Atkinson, WI
>fortataps@llwisc.wecb.org


Joan Kimball (jkim@borg.com)
Clinton, NY
Hart's Hill Elementary School Library
Clark Mills Road, Whitesboro, NY 13492