Characteristic Elements of Folktales

Setting:

· Time is quickly set in the introduction, usually with a stock phrase such as "Once upon a time."

· Place is generalized: a palace, a hut, a forest.

Characters:

· Characters are usually flat, representing one human characteristic such as wickedness, goodness, or stupidity.

· There is often contrast in characters: a good child vs. a wicked stepmother, a young boy vs. a wicked ogre.

Plot:

· The most important characteristic of the folktale is an exciting, swift-moving plot with lots of conflict and suspense.

· The introduction is very short; it gives the setting and introduces the characters in a very few words and then starts right in with the action.

· Plots are often cumulative (for young children) or cyclic; in western cultures, plots are often based on a cycle of three recurrences.

· Although many plots use magic or have magical characters, the plot must be logical and plausible within its setting.

· The plot must have unity; every incident must relate to the story's conflict.

· The plot usually has a swift and satisfying conclusion.

Theme:

· Folktales satisfy our sense of justice and morality because good is usually rewarded and evil punished.

· Folktales hold up a mirror to human nature; often they make us laugh at ourselves.

Style:

· Folktales often include rhyme and repetition; often some kind of formula is used to introduce and/or conclude the story.

· Rich language is used, which often maintains the flavor of the country of origin; there is much dialogue, and words are so carefully chosen that detailed description is unnecessary.

· There is much imagery in the style, and there is a flavor of oral telling.

Motifs:

· A motif is the smallest part of a story which persists in the oral tradition; it can recur in many stories or be transferred from one story to another.

· Types of motifs:

o Characters: a wicked stepmother, an evil witch, a stupid boy, a handsome prince, a woodcutter, a donkey, a giant.

o Places: a forest, a ballroom in a palace, a hut in a forest, a river.

o Objects: a glass slipper, a magical tablecloth, a golden ball, a rose.

o Actions or events: a journey, a palace ball (dance), tricking an opponent, answering a riddle.

↑Folktales

Folktales feature common people, such as peasants, and commonplace events. Characters are usually flat, representing human frailty. Folktales have tight plot structures, filled with conflict. There is often a cycle of three in folktales. Elements of magic or magical characters may be incorporated, but logic rules so the supernatural must be plausible and within context.

Hansel and Gretel (Putnam, 1984)

Retold from the Brothers Grimm and illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky

Tikki Tikki Tembo (Holt Rinehart & Winston, 1968)

Retold by Arlene Mosel. Illus. by Blair Lent Young Ed

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China (Philomel 1989)

Retold and illus. by Ed Young