Name:______Date:______Period:_____
MYTHS, LEGENDS, FABLES & TALL TALES
- A myth is a traditional story, which may describe the origins of the world and/or of a people, an attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions. Sometimes sacred in nature, a myth can involve gods or other creatures. And, a myth represents reality in dramatic ways.
Example: The Jersey Devil: Go ahead and Google the “Jersey Devil” and see how many accounts are found of its origin and even more of its image…
…and the legend goes…
The Jersey Devil is a legendary creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations.] The Jersey Devil has worked its way into the pop culture of the area, even lending its name to New Jersey's team in the National Hockey League.
Most accounts of the Jersey Devil legend attribute the creature to a "Mother Leeds", a supposed witch, although the tale has many variations. According to one version, she invoked the devil by saying "let it be the devil" while giving birth to her 13th child, and when the baby was born it was named Lucas, it either immediately or soon afterward transformed into a devil-like creature and flew off into the surrounding pines.
The Jersey Devil remained an obscure regional legend through most of the 18th and 19th centuries until a series of purported sightings in 1909 gained it press coverage and wider notability. Today, the Jersey Devil is considered to be more in the realm of popular culture than myth.
- Legend is a story SUPPOSED to be historical in nature, but without substantiation. Prominent examples include: King Arthur, Blackbeard, Robin Hood and Santa. Where evidence of the existence of actual historical figures exists, figures like King Arthur are legends due in large part to the many stories that have been created about them. Legend also refers to anything that inspires a body of stories, or anything of lasting importance or fame. The story is handed down from earlier times, but will continue to evolve with time.
Example: Santa Claus
From the 19th century: Thomas Nast's vision of old Saint Nick.
Every December 24th millions of people are visited by a short, fat guy in a red suit. Where did he come from, why does he do it, and how does he accomplish this seemingly impossible task?
Santa Claus... Kris Kringle...Old Saint Nick... We see him on advertising posters, in parades, at departments stores...who is this guy and why does he have so many aliases? Well, the original St. Nicholas lived in southwestern Turkey in the 4th century. As the bishop of Myra he was credited with doing a number of miracles involving sailors and children. After his death this led him to become the patron saint of both groups as well as for unmarried girls. As a saint he was given his own "feast day" that was celebrated on December 6th.
At about the same time Nicholas lived, Pope Julius I decided to establish a date for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. As the actual time of year for this event was unknown, the Pope decided to assign the holiday to December 25th. There had long been a pagan (believing in many gods and worshipping things) midwinter festival at this time of year and the Pope hoped to use the holiday to christianize the celebrations.
Eventually, Saint Nicholas's feast day also became associated with December 25th and his connection with Christmas was established. A tradition developed that he would supposedly visit homes on Christmas Eve and children would place nuts, apples, sweets and other items around the house to welcome him. As the reformation took a hold of much of Europe, however, the popularity of St. Nicholas dropped in most Protestant countries, with the exception of Holland where he was referred to as "Sinter Klaas." After this tradition came to the United States, "Sinter Klass" would eventually be corrupted to "Santa Claus."
- TALL TALES : tale tale is an extravagant, fanciful or greatly exaggerated story. Usually focuses on the achievements of the ultimate hero
Example:
Pecos Bill Rides a Tornado
A Kansas Tall Tale
retold by
S.E.Schlosser
Now everyone in the West knows that Pecos Bill could ride anything. No bronco could throw him, no sir! Fact is, I only heard of Bill getting' throwed once in his whole career as a cowboy. Yep, it was that time he was up Kansas way and decided to ride him a tornado.
Now Bill wasn't gonna ride jest any tornado, no ma'am. He waited for the biggest gol-durned tornado you ever saw. It was turning the sky black and green, and roaring so loud it woke up the farmers away over in China. Well, Bill jest grabbed that there tornado, pushed it to the ground and jumped on its back. The tornado whipped and whirled and sidewinded and generally cussed its bad luck all the way down to Texas. Tied the rivers into knots, flattened all the forests so bad they had to rename one place the Staked Plains. But Bill jest rode along all calm-like, give it an occasional jab with his spurs.
Finally, that tornado decided it wasn't getting this cowboy off its back no-how. So it headed west to California and jest rained itself out. Made so much water it washed out the Grand Canyon. That tornado was down to practically nothing when Bill finally fell off. He hit the ground so hard it sank below sea level. Folks call the spot Death Valley.
Anyway, that's how rodeo got started. Though most cowboys stick to broncos these days.
- FABLE:A short story, typically with animals as characters (acting like humans) and conveying a moral or lesson.
What examples of fables do you know?
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- Why do you thinkmyths, legends, tall tales and fablesendure?
- What roles do they fill in society and culture?
Homework:
In addition to the stories found in this packet, find and research a myth, legend, or fable.
1.Write up a brief version of the story and answer the following questions (1 page maximum): Is it a fable, myth or legend? Why?// Why or how does this story endure?//What roles do they fill?
2.Be prepared to share your story orally with a small group in class
3.Bring in a visual to go along with your re-telling
Myths, Legends, Tall Tales & Fables Illustration Assignment
Re-tell your story to one person, then have that person share your story from memory and use only your illustrations to aide in the story telling. Afterwards, answer the questions below.
- What observations did you have during and after telling the story?
- How did the illustrations aide you in telling the story? How so?
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