Click to edit Master subtitle style

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE

MUAZ SHALU NURUL HUSNA FASYA 4/21/12

DEFINITION

Traditional literature is a genre that deals specifically with stories that were passed down through oral storytelling from generation to generation. Traditional literature consists of songs, stories, poems and riddles from anonymous sources.

curriculum.spsd.org/Downloads/3.../Traditional %20Literature%20.doc File Format:Microsoft Word -

4/21/12

Is the body of ancient stories and poems that grew out of the oral tradition of storytelling before being eventually written down. Having unknown authors, these stories and poems attributed to entire group of people or cultures. Although in ancient times, some traditional stories may have been 4/21/12

Includes several different types of stories, but because they were all shared orally for so long, they have many features in common.
4/21/12

Characteristics of traditional literature

Click to edit Master subtitle style

4/21/12

Heroes and heroines display traits like cleverness, bravery, or outright silliness

Plotlines are straightforward Stories are to the point : good is supremely good, evil is clearly evil

4/21/12

Characters are flat or one-dimensional rather than being fleshed out

Theses express the

values and beliefs of the people who created the stories

Language is direct and reflective of its cultural origins

4/21/12

Traditional fairy tales often deal with the battle between good and evil.

Theme s

Oral stories have simple themes, like good vs. evil, weak vs. strong, or beauty vs. ugliness.

4/21/12

These opposite characteristics

Characters

Characters are more likely onedimensional, either good or evil -- polar opposites so choices
4/21/12 between them are

Plot

The plot elements are simple but unchanging. In all fairy tales, good and beauty always win out over evil and ugliness.

As in the case of Snow White, the Evil Step Mother is said to be beautiful on the outside but the events of the story tell us she is ugly on the inside.

4/21/12

Snow White, who is beautiful inside

Setting are not important and are described and referred to in the vaguest of terms:

In the beginning Long ago in a land far away

Style is characterized by stock beginning and endings. (once upon a timethey lived

4/21/12

Types of Traditional Literature

4/21/12

Animal Stories: Deals with Anthropomorphism

The Three bears Chicken Little The Lion and the Mouse
Fairytales:Magical stories

Cinderella - Sleeping Beauty - East of the Sun

4/21/12

Folktales:Folktales are tied to and reflect a particular culture.

Rob Roy (Scottish) Dwarves (German) The Little Mermaid (Scandinavian).

Fables:A form of animal tale in which animals portray human virtues and vices to convey a moral message.

4/21/12

Myths:Stories of gods, goddesses, and heroes of a given culture.They explain the origins of customs and social beliefs.

Greek myths, Native American, African, and Asian.

Ghost Stories:An example of a living folktale, told from person to person with each telling adapted to 4/21/12 the occasion.

Reason for using Traditional Literature with children

4/21/12

Provides entertainment. Contains the rich heritage of a story. Tells stories of the human experience. Kindles the imagination.

4/21/12

Serves as the building blocks for contemporary literature/framework for literature Provides a window on diverse cultures Carries on the strong oral tradition of story-telling Provides moral models for children as the struggle between good and evil is applied to incidents in their own lives
4/21/12

Role of Traditional Literature in Oral Traditions

Click to edit Master subtitle style

4/21/12

To educate people ~ to inculcate moral values ~ to convey meaningful messages

v

Examples :

~ The little red hen (Cumulative Tales)- perseverance and hard work
4/21/12

To pass down culture from one generation to another ~ to preserve the culture ~ to expose people from various parts of world to different cultures
v

Examples:

~ Chinese Folk Tales the use of chopsticks

4/21/12

Basis of entertainment ~ is disseminated for fun and time pass ~ include the elements of myth, fantasy and magic to make it more interesting
v

Examples:

4/21/12

~ Fairy tales- Cinderella and

To dedicate to someone ~ to convey message to someone special ~use to communicate with the loved ones
v

Example: ~ Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare

4/21/12

4/21/12