Types of Folktales

Types of Folktales

EECE 441

Spring 2003

P. Werre

1. Cumulative Tales—tales that repeat actions, characters or speeches until a climax is reached.

Þ Gingerbread Boy, Pancake, Johnny Cake, Henny Penny, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears

2. Humorous Tales—tales that allow people to laugh at themselves as well as at others.

Humor results from absurd situations or human foolishness resulting from unwise decisions.

Þ Peasant’s Pea Patch, Mr. And Mrs. Vinegar, Fisherman and his Wife, The Husband Who Has to Mind the House

3. Beast Tales—tales that involve animals are among the most universal.

Þ Brer Rabbit, Anansi, Bremen Town Musicians, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Little Red Hen, Little Red Riding Hood

4. Magic and Wonder Tales—contain some element of magic.

Þ Cinderella, Lad Who Went to the North Wind, Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty

5. Pourquoi Tales—or “why” tales, answer a question or explain how animals, plants, or humans were created and why they have certain characteristics.

Þ Why the Possum’s Tail is Bare and Other Native American Nature Tale, Toad is the Uncle of Heaven

6. Realistic—realistic plot and involve people who could have existed

Þ Dick Whittington and His Cat

These are just a few of the categories of folktales.

Another way to classify folktales is to analyze tale types.

Norton, Donna E. and Saundra E. Norton. Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003.