Folklore

Introduction

Folklore refers to the collection of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and sayings of a community, passed through generations by word of mouth. In literature, folklore encompasses myths, legends, fairy tales, and oral traditions that authors integrate into their narratives. These elements not only enrich the story but also provide a cultural and historical context that can deepen the reader’s connection to the text. Folklore is often used to convey universal truths, moral lessons, or cultural heritage through the powerful medium of storytelling. Writers might weave these elements directly into the plot, or characters might recount folklore within the narrative, adding layers of meaning and a sense of timelessness to the literary work.

Pronunciation: ˈfoʊkˌlɔr

When do writers use Folklore literary device?

Writers employ the folklore literary device when they aim to root their stories in a cultural context, offering readers a glimpse into the traditions and values of a community. This device is particularly effective in creating a rich, immersive world that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Folklore can serve as a narrative backbone, offering established motifs and conflicts that resonate with readers on a fundamental level. Additionally, incorporating folklore can provide a sense of authenticity and depth, making fantastical or historical settings more relatable and intriguing. It’s often used to strengthen thematic messages or to infuse the narrative with the wisdom and charm of ancient tales.

How should I use Folklore literary device?

Using the folklore literary device effectively requires a deep understanding of the stories you wish to incorporate and their cultural significance. Here are some guidelines:

1. Respect the Source: Understand the origins and meanings of the folklore you are using. It’s important to handle cultural elements with respect and sensitivity to avoid cultural appropriation.
2. Integrate Seamlessly: Folklore should enhance your story, not distract from it. Integrate elements in a way that feels natural to the narrative and supports the development of your characters and plot.
3. Use to Build Your World: Utilize folklore to add depth to your world-building. Let these tales explain the customs, values, and beliefs of the societies in your story, providing readers with a richer experience.
4. Convey Universal Themes: Folklore often deals with universal themes and morals. Use these elements to speak to common human experiences, connecting your audience across different cultures and times.
5. Adapt and Innovate: While it’s important to respect the origins of folklore, don’t be afraid to adapt stories to serve your narrative’s unique needs or to comment on contemporary issues.

Following these rules can help you use folklore to create a narrative that is both enchanting and meaningful, resonating with readers through the power of shared human heritage.

Types of Folklore

Folklore encompasses a wide array of cultural expressions and traditions, each serving different functions within a community. Here are the primary types of folklore:

1. Myths: These are sacred tales that often explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, and cultural practices. Myths frequently involve deities or supernatural beings and embody the spiritual values of a culture.
2. Legends: Unlike myths, legends are typically rooted in historical fact and are localized to specific places. They recount the deeds of heroes, explain landmarks, or delve into the origins of societal customs.
3. Fairy Tales: These are narratives that include magical elements and fantastical creatures. Often aimed at children, fairy tales usually involve a moral lesson and feature clear distinctions between good and evil.
4. Folk Songs and Ballads: These are traditional songs that tell stories or convey the emotions, struggles, and daily activities of ordinary people. They are an oral record of cultural history.
5. Proverbs and Sayings: These short, common expressions convey traditional wisdom, values, and advice on how to live.
6. Folk Art and Crafts: These include traditional decorations, tools, clothing, and artwork that are specific to a community and usually made from locally available materials.

Folklore in Literature

Folklore has long been a fertile ground for writers to explore, adapt, and recreate in literature. Here are some famous examples:

• “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer: This collection of stories, told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury, incorporates various folk tales and legends of medieval England.
• “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” by the Brothers Grimm: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm compiled and adapted various German folktales, creating classic stories like “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” and “Hansel and Gretel.”
• “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving: This famous American short story incorporates elements of folklore and ghost tales from the New York region.

Folklore in Children’s Books

Folklore is a staple in children’s literature, providing young readers with engaging stories that teach lessons and entertain. Here are some well-known children’s books featuring folklore:

• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: Though not directly traditional folklore, this book uses the structure and themes typical of fairy tales and folklore to craft a story that resonates with mythical undertones.
• “Just So Stories” by Rudyard Kipling: These are fanciful tales that explain various phenomena in a whimsical, “just so” manner, reflecting the oral storytelling traditions of folklore.
• “Pippi Longstocking” by Astrid Lindgren: Pippi’s adventures contain elements of folklore, particularly in her exaggerated abilities and the fantastical scenarios she encounters.

Folklore in Poetry

Poetry often draws from folklore to create rich, evocative imagery and to connect deeply with cultural roots. Some notable examples include:

• “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: This poem includes elements of maritime legends and superstitions.
• “Tam Lin” by Anonymous: This Scottish ballad, often adapted by poets, tells the story of a young woman rescuing her lover from the fairies.
• “The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Drawing on Arthurian legend, this poem recounts the tragic fate of a woman cursed to weave a never-ending tapestry.

Folklore in Songs

Folklore has enriched the world of music, providing thematic depth and cultural resonance. Here are ten famous songs that draw from folklore:

1. “The Legend of John Henry” by Johnny Cash – This song narrates the American folk legend of John Henry, a steel-driving man.
2. “Tam Lin” by Fairport Convention – Based on the Scottish ballad about a woman rescuing her lover from the Queen of the Fairies.
3. “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel – An adaptation of a traditional English ballad about a young man posing impossible tasks to his former love.
4. “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price – A popular song about the American folk figure Stagger Lee Shelton, a gambler and murderer.
5. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot – A song recounting the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior in 1975, blending historical event and folk legend.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – A song likely of traditional folk origin, telling a tale of life gone wrong in New Orleans.
7. “Whiskey in the Jar” by Thin Lizzy – An Irish traditional song set during the late 17th century about a highwayman who is betrayed by his lover.
8. “Big Rock Candy Mountain” by Harry McClintock – A song describing a hobo’s idea of paradise, a modern folktale.
9. “Gallows Pole” by Led Zeppelin – An adaptation of a traditional folk song about a condemned man asking for someone to buy his freedom.
10. “Black Is the Color” by Nina Simone – A traditional folk song expressing deep love and admiration, often thought to be of Scottish origin.

Folklore in Movies

Folklore has been a rich source for cinematic storytelling, often providing the framework or inspiration for films. Here are some famous examples:

• “The Lord of the Rings” series – Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic which draws heavily from various mythologies and folkloric traditions.
• “Pan’s Labyrinth” – Guillermo del Toro’s film blends real historical events with Spanish folktales and dark fairy tales.
• “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” – This film is a modern interpretation of Homer’s ancient epic “The Odyssey” set in the American South during the 1930s.
• “Spirited Away” – A Studio Ghibli film that incorporates multiple elements of Japanese folklore and mythology.
• “Beowulf” – An adaptation of the Old English epic poem that is one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon folklore.

Famous Movie Line Highlighting Folklore

“One does not simply walk into Mordor.” – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
This line refers to the perilous land in J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe, heavily derived from various mythological and folkloric sources.

Folklore Demonstrated in a Movie Clip

This link leads to a scene from “Pan’s Labyrinth,” showcasing the mythical creature Faun, which is deeply rooted in folklore.

Folklore in Advertising

Folklore has also been effectively used in advertising to convey messages that resonate culturally. Here are some examples:

• “John Lewis Christmas Advert” – Many of John Lewis’s Christmas adverts incorporate elements of folklore and fairy tales to evoke emotion and nostalgia.
• “Absolut Vodka” campaigns – These often use Swedish cultural and folkloric elements to promote the heritage of the brand.
• “Red Bull Gives You Wings” – Red Bull’s iconic tagline and campaigns play on the mythological idea of humans gaining wings, a concept found in various folklores.

Folklore Related Literary Devices

When discussing literary devices related to folklore, it’s important to note how these devices help in weaving folklore into the narrative:

1. Allusion: Referring subtly to folk tales or mythical stories within a larger narrative.
2. Archetype: Using characters or scenarios that are typical within folklore, such as the hero, the mentor, or the quest.
3. Symbolism: Objects, characters, or events in a story that symbolize larger folklore themes like life, death, or rebirth.
4. Motif: Repeated use of a folklore theme or image throughout a literary work to build the thematic structure of the narrative.
5. Allegory: A story within a story where characters and events symbolically represent folklore ideals or truths.

These devices deepen the text’s connection to cultural roots and enhance its universal appeal.