...“true” or “stories that could really happen.” • The origin of the myths has fascinated and puzzled folklorists, anthropologists, and psychologists. • Folktales are also of special interest to scholars of narrative theory because of the way the tales are honed by many generations of telling; only the most important elements of the story survive. The Value of Folk Literature for Children • When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first volume of their Household Stories in 1812, they did not intend it for children. • Originally folklore was the literature of the people; stories were told to young and old alike. • Traditional literature is a rightful part of a child’s literature heritage and lays the groundwork for understanding all literature. Folktales • Folktales have been defined as “all forms of narrative, written or oral, which have come to be handed down through the years.” • Questions often arise about which of the available print versions of a tale is the “correct” or authentic text. Types of Folktales • There will be features of these stories that are unique to each culture, but children will also find particular aspects of plot or characterization that occur across cultures. • Probably the favorite folktales of young children are beast tales in which animal’s act and talk like human beings. • Surprisingly, there are a few realistic tales included in folklore. The story...
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...Folktale Motifs of the Nausikaa Episode in The Odyssey In Book VI of The Odyssey, the tale of princess Nausikaa exhibits the folklore motifs of struggle, lust, persuasion, marriage, determinedness, and gender roles that are historically valued in Western culture. People perceive the episode of Nausikaa and the Phaiakians in different ways. Book VI is a wonderful representation of a "fairy-tale" encounter that simply allows those who are involved to experience hope and change. In the Nausikaa episode, innocence is almost lost, persuasion becomes a method for salvation, kindness is overabundant, and genuineness to the self is of great importance. Folktales have been used throughout history to pass along customs, beliefs, and ways of life. They have influenced society's structure and development, along with metaphorically reminding and teaching people about how things were in the past and should be in the future. In Book VI of The Odyssey, Odysseus is washed onto the shore of the island of the Phaiakians, is wakened by the princess Nausikaa and her maidens, and his encounters are filled with folktale motifs. These motifs are cliché elements that constitute the Nausikaa episode, are defined in nonfictional culture, and express the themes of persuasion, eroticism, forbidden beauty, social norms, and rebirth. John Arnott MacCulloch, a Scottish author whom wrote many works on mythology and folklore, describes folktales and relates their use in culture and The Odyssey's Book...
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...The International Literature and Culture Exhibition 0 The Ministry of Culture organised a two-day exhibition of International Literature and Culture. The government sponsored this idea to promote international knowledge and understanding. Three societies focused on researching and collecting examples of world culture and literature with particular reference to traditional folktales. The chosen countries were India, China and Indonesia. The three societies had to research information about the designated country (climate, geography, history and traditions), prepare an exhibition booth and give an oral presentation about it. 0 The event or the three exhibitions took place at the University of Balamand. One of the three societies that participated was called ‘’A Journey to India’’. The team members talked about the food (Biryani, Muruku, Chekkalu), geography, religions and traditions. The second society was called ‘’The Chinese Cultural Society’’. They mentioned China’s climate, history and festivals (Dragon festival). The last society was ‘’The Heritage Society of Indonesia’’. They talked about Indonesia’s national language which is Banasa. They also said that Indonesia is an Island stretching along the equator in South East Asia. 0 Secondly, the three societies were...
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...In their bird form, they repeatedly cry over their misfortune. In the section about wolves, it is said that the villagers of Ilde created a folktale to justify the reason for why wolves only attack the people and horses of their specific village. While it may seem unnecessary to construct a story for the behaviour of wild animals, these folktales of the villages in Tono play a role in the cultivation of the identities of those specific areas. In relation to local activities, the story of “Dan-no-hana” is used to explain why the people in the area of Yamaguchi in Tsuchibuchi say “sai haka-dachi” (leaving the grave) when going to work in the fields, and “haka-agari” (going to the grave) when returning home. Many believe that it is due to the...
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...little red riding hood falling victim to a rapist. Unlike a folk tale which has cultural background, a fairy tale involves magic and fantasy. Examples of fairy tales are, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “Beauty and the beast”, and Disney’s “Cinderella”. Usually fairy tales include fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, giants, gnomes, and talking animals. Since folktales usually mirror the values and culture of the society from which they originated, a fairy tale can be a folk tale. In essence a fairy tale can also be a subgenre or genre of a folktale. Up until 1450 folktales were passed on orally, so not all folktales were the same. Because Folktales have been told by so many different people there were many different versions. In 1450 the printing press was invented and the folk stories were written in books. People around the world began to put more of their efforts in recording their cultural history by collecting regional folktales into books. That’s how our wonderful folktales from the 17, 18th, and 19th centuries emerged. There are three distinct folktales that reveal aspects of how a culture idealizes women. Those folktales are “The Ash Girl”, “The little glass...
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...Mules and Men. Oral tradition dates back to the beginning of time, this tradition includes folktales, myths, legends, songs, riddles and any other form of verbal communication. Different aspects of the tradition has been used in various ways, including for entertainment, education, providing histories, or to bring awareness to societal ills. While each country/society have their own oral traditions and folktales, there are those folktales that are shared by several different communities. However, even though different communities may share the same stories, inevitably, those stories will be changed based on the specific community’s culture, language , history and geographical location. The effects of location and history on the folktales within the community can be seen very clearly in the texts An Evening in Guanima by Patricia Glinton Meicholas, and Mules and Men by Zora Neal Hurston, respectively. ***You need a very strong thesis here*** In “Talkin Ol' Story: A Brief Survey of the Oral tradition in the Bahamas”, Patricia Glinton Meicholas describes the Bahamian ol' story as existing “in a dream time landscape where human beings exhibit a fluid morphology…”(Meicholas 10). Much of Bahamian oral tradition , like that of the African Americans, has been influenced by what has come before, during and after the trans Atlantic slave trade. The enslaved African brought with them a culture rich in oral traditionthat included songs, riddles, proverbs and stories. Many of these songs...
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...literature can be shared effectively with children. The Context for Children Literature i. History of Children’s Literature ii. The Study of Childhood iii. The Study of Literature iv. Picture Storybook v. Fantasy In researcher courses, the emphasis on the primary works-the picture books, folktales, poetry, fantasies, realistic novels, and information books. The text is intended as a supplement, to provide background about the...
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...English Cultural Studies 2014 Teacher’s Name: Mohammed A. Sahir Email: mohammed.sahir@educhina.com.cn Office Hours: 9am till 5pm - Monday to Friday Course Description: In this course, you will improve your Basic to intermediate English vocabulary skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through the study of various cultures, mostly Western from European to American. You will learn about cultural differences in language, behaviours, the arts, and society. This class will provide a summary of different cultures, and you will participate in considerations, online forums, and written and verbal conversations on the subjects discussed. Rules & Procedures Attendance: Students are required to attend all classes. If students miss class, 1. They must first submit the EduChina Student Leave Request Form to the teacher at least two weeks in advance. 2. Students are required to complete all assignments missed upon return. 3. The teacher will decide the due date for these assignments. 4. Excessive absences and missing assignments will result in a failing grade for the course. Behaviour: Student behaviours show be positive in class at all time, 1. Student cannot be disrespectful towards to teacher. 2. Student cannot be disrespectful toward fellow classmates. 3. No bullying. 4. No foul languages in class at all time. 5. No speaking Chinese in class at all time. Cheating/Plagiarism: Copying other people’s work is not tolerated in...
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...Running head: Essay #2 Essay #2 Darius McPherson Post University Essay #2 The Harlem Renaissance literature was a spark to African American which created many opportunity for black people to be inspirer to speak out. This allows poets to express them feeling against racism and that equality should be given to the black community. The literature of the Harlem Renaissance gave black people a chance to allow themselves to be heard. This gave hope to the black people an idea to use the (“cultural uniqueness through literature and art”). The Harlem Renaissance wanted the concentration to be on the literature which was used with creativity by the black people to portray black people life. The Renaissance made African American in a way that got them to a higher level to use music, and art to form the start of their own literature which created the new Negro movement. Everything was progressing for the black community as African American started using the visual of art which led them to the creation of jazz music and the approach of literature that shook the cultural into new ideas. With the Renaissance getting the recognition, Langston Hughes was a upcoming writer who would seem to become one of the best writer, poets of his time. Mr. Hughes was an inspire writer in which he wanted African Americans to feel good about themselves. Langston Hughes career as a writer, he talks about the “hardship, poverty, inequality”...
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...Understanding Culture Introduction Culture is important because it is everything and everywhere. In a very real sense, your culture is part of who you are. What makes culture so unique is that you share culture with other people. Culture is a group worldview, the way of organizing the world that a particular society has created over time. Nolan This framework or web of meaning allows the members of that society to make sense of them-selves, their world, and their experiences in that world. You do not arrive in this world knowing how to dress, what to eat, what to strive for, or how to spend your money and your time. In modern society different people communicate in different ways, as do people in different societies around the world, and the way people communicate is the way they live. It is their culture. When the elements of communication differ or change, the elements of culture differ or change. Communication and culture are inseparable. According to Hanson, Behaviour is governed by many factors, socioeconomic status, sex, age, education etc, each of which will have an impact on cultural practices as well. Individuals may differ by the degree to which they choose to adhere to a set of cultural patterns. Some individuals identify strongly with a particular group; others combine practices from several groups. In this chapter, we (1) explain why cultures develop, (2) highlight the essential features of culture, ...
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...Learning English through children's literature Submitted by admin on 18 December, 2002 - 12:00 This article is about the British Council's Young Learners Centre in Paris and how they use children's literature in their teaching of English * The role of stories and storytelling in language teaching * Selecting story books * Pupil responses * Personal and professional development of teachers * Other support materials * Books referred to in this article The role of stories and storytelling in language teaching Once upon a time and not so very long ago in the capital city of France, a teaching centre for little children and not so little children was opened. One little child and then two and then three and then many, many more came along. And so our story unfolds ….. There was a little red hen, a meerkat in trouble, a brown bear, a black elephant and a white elephant, a very hungry caterpillar, Spot the dog, a clever tortoise, a big, roaring, yellow, whiskery lion, a kangaroo from Woolloomooloo and many more. These are just some of the colourful characters from children's literature who have helped children aged 5 - 10 attending holiday classes at the British Council's Young Learners Centre in Paris learn English. These weekly courses take place each afternoon for two hours. The educational value of using stories and the technique of storytelling has always been undisputed throughout the world. Now more and more English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers of...
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...act which results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm, and most women in Russia have experienced it. Annually between 12,000 and 14,000 Russian women die due to domestic violence; one woman every 40 minutes (Брынцева). The culture of domestic abuse in Russia continues to flourish because of folklore and the cult of the church...
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...damage your skin if you overdue your visits. A contemporary story is a tale with some truth to it. They’re disagreements with contemporary stories, because audiences think the tale is bogus and are at disbelief with what is told. Unless there is actually prove, most people will check sources on the Internet for any truth within the story. Legends are passed down from generations, which often change up the origin, this makes it hard for people to have belief. A tale’s occurrence on the internet can increase a convinced impression of reliability. There is evidence accessible roughly containing whether or not these folktales are created on actual occasions, but the proof contradicting the accuracy of a tale hardly has this much impact that the myth does. The impact a legend has on those telling or hearing it may have little to do with whether the story is believed. Folktales are portion of a person’s everyday existence, it doesn’t matter how...
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...even in the mist of struggle. I would have never connected the value of courage to Rapunzel’s revenge. That is very insightful. Great post! Joshua, I really like how you focused your post on similarities rather than differences. The discussion among my education classes seem to always focus on the cultural differences rather than similarities. I have often wondered if too much focus on the cultural difference is only creating a bigger divide between individuals of differing cultures. What do you think? Furthermore, you explain how to identify common human similarities found in folktales, such as mercy, love, and courage. I really like the books you have chosen, especially the Polar Express. Jeremy, The Gingerbread man and Peter Pan are popular classics that children have enjoyed for years. They are enjoyable books to read. Your post discusses the important value of pleasure. You did a great job outlining how pleasurable the experience is when reading a traditional or folktale story. Children who are exposed to pleasurable readings, like the Gingerbread man, are more likely to look forward to reading another book. The book Peter Pan captures the minds of its reader. Because of books like Peter Pan, young readers learn that books are a form of entertainments and adventure. Great Post! Ebony, Your post brings out the importance of humor. You discuss the importance of laughing at one’s self as well as at others. This is so true. Life is to serious and...
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...Council of Houston The Oral Traditions of Africa What are oral traditions? Oral traditions are messages that are transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages may be passed down through speech or song and may take the form of folktales and fables, epic histories and narrations, proverbs or sayings, and songs. Oral Traditions make it possible for a society to pass knowledge across generations without writing. They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture. The art of storytelling There is a rich tradition throughout Africa of oral storytelling. Although written history existed for centuries in West Africa, most writing was in Arabic, and the majority of people did not read or write in Arabic. So the transmission of knowledge, history and experience in West Africa was mainly through the oral tradition and performance rather than on written texts. Oral traditions guide social and human morals, giving people a sense of place and purpose. There is often a lesson or a value to instill, and the transmission of wisdom to children is a community responsibility. Parents, grandparents, and relatives take part in the process of passing down the knowledge of culture and history. Storytelling provides entertainment, develops the imagination, and teaches important lessons about everyday life. World Affairs Council of Houston PO Box 920905 Houston, TX 77292-0905 Voice 713-522-7811 Fax 713-522-7812 www.wachouston...
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