Description of story elements and quality characteristics

Traditional folk tales were the oral tradition of adults. Stories about peoples' lives and imaginations as they
struggled with their fears and anxieties by telling tales. Probably helped them to better be able to struggle
with them in real life. While many of these tales weren't told specifically for children it is almost certain that
they too would listen and enjoy as well as develop respect for certain elements described in the stories.

Characters, plot, setting, theme, events, real life all ages problems based on real life events, setting is every
time.

Story Elements

Characterization

 Characters are flat.

 Usually very good or very bad with most characteristics exaggerated.
 The hero and heroine are usually young.
 The heroine is usually fair, kind, charitable, and caring.
 The hero is usually honorable, courageous, unselfish, and caring.
 Both usually have special abilities or powers.

Setting

 Place is described easily and briefly (humble cottage, magic kingdom) that fits
the typical geography of the culture or it is not mentioned but assumed.
 Time is in the past (usually long-ago) imbedded within the history of the
culture.
 Time is fantasy time (Once upon a time sets the stage and They lived happily
ever after closes the tale.) any time or any place, timeless or placeless, or
long long ago.

Plot

 Very simple, though interesting.

 Thought provoking to didactic.
 Is full of action and follows specific and simple patterns. The plot starts right
out with fast moving action that grabs the listeners interest and keeps it.
Conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness
related to good and bad/evil.

Theme

 Usually universal truths, lessons, and values related to people, their actions,
and/or material goods that is valued by the group that creates the folktale.
 Often the tales tell what happens to those who do not obey the groups
traditions.

1. Problems of young adults

2. Security
3. Fear of leaving home
4. Fear of not having children
5. Fear of not being loved or giving love
 6. Reflect basic values and concerns of different cultures
7. Good and evil
8. Right and wrong
9. Justice and injustice
10. Happiness, kindness, friendship, loyalty
11. Good triumphant over evil
12. Love and loyalty
13. Love and loyalty can transform ...
14. Discuss basic values of people

Style

 Descriptions are quick and to the point with little description and detail.
 Plausability story is possible but not probable.
 A promise father promises to send one daughter, if set free; promises first
son, if spin gold;
 Number three father has three daughters and three sons, and three weeks to
return
 Magic Supernatural beings Objects (mirror, beans, golden objects) Spells,
Enchantments,
 Magical transformations, Character transformed by a spell and only the love
or loyalty of another character can break the spell Ugly person casts a spell
on ... Spell is broken and turns into a ...
 Run away from home Gingerbread Boy - English, The Bun - Russian, The
Pancake -
 Norwegian Cumulative Henny Penny, sequence of events or characters that
accumulate.
 Repeat phrases, develop logic and sequential thinking (for preoperational
children), and understanding for more sophisticated literature. The House that
Jack Built, The Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly.
 Extraordinary animals, monster, or other animated things. Three Little Pigs,
Shrek
 Explain a natural phenomena or custom. How Rabbit Stole Fire, Why
Mosquitoes Buzz in people's Ears, Tikki Tikki Temkbo.

Tone

 Good versus bad/evil

 Reflection of human strengths, frailities, weaknesses, or imperfections.
 Reader is lead to new insights and/or understandings.

Point of View

 Often third person narrative. Could be first.