Elements Of A Folktale

1. Elements of a Folktale
African Folktales:
A Middle School Unit
Amy Madigan
Arlington Accelerated Learning Academy

2. What is a Folktale?
Folktales were the oral tradition of adults
They were passed down from generation
to generation by word of mouth
They are stories about peoples’ lives and
imaginations as they struggled with their
fears and anxieties about the world around
them
Folktales were made up to explain the
wonders of the world

3. Different Types of Folktales
Trickster Tales
Fables
Pourqoui stories
Fairytales

4. Trickster Tales
One character, usually the protagonist, is
clever and devious
The protagonist causes problems for the
other characters
Usually goes unpunished
Example “Trickster” Characters:
Anansi the Spider (Africa), Hare (North
America), Wolf( Europe), Badger (Japan)

5. Fables
These are usually considered short stories that
teach a lesson or have a moral
The main characters of Fables are usually
animals with human characteristics
Themes are evident, such as cooperation or
different perspectives of the same problem
The moral is never stated, but needs to be
inferred by the reader
Examples of Fables: Tortoise and the Hare,
Town Mouse and Country Mouse

6. Pourquoi Stories
Explain WHY something is as it is
Explains HOW something came to be
Examples of Pourquoi stories:
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
The Story of Lightning and Thunder

7. Fairytales
Include good and bad characters
Usually has a hero or heroine
Has Magic
Often begins with “Once upon a time”
Conflicts are resolved through kindness,
courage or intelligence

8. Common Elements of a Folktale:
Theme
Fear of not being loved
Fear of leaving home
Good and Evil
Right and Wrong
Happiness, Kindness, Friendship, Loyalty

9. Common Elements of a Folktale:
Characterization
Characters are usually flat, meaning that
they are uncomplicated and change only
in their mindset (from the lesson learned)
throughout the course of the story
The hero is usually young and fair, kind,
charitable, honorable, courageous,
unselfish, and may possess some sort of
special power.

10. Common Elements of a Folktale:
Setting
Place is usually described easily and
briefly, leaving the imagination to fill in the
gaps. For example, folktales take place in
a cottage in the woods or in a magical
kingdom
Time is fantasy time, such as Once upon
a time, or A long time ago

11. Common Elements of a Folktale:
Plot
Folktales are full of action and follow a
basic plotline of events, that usually starts
quickly to grab the readers attention.
Conflicts are usually resolved with great
deeds or acts of human kindness.

12. Common Elements of a Folktale:
Style and Tone
Descriptions are quick and to the point, but
create strong images without a lot of language.
Often there are promises made or promises
broken.
The number three is used in a lot of folklore.
Magic is commonly used, to explain the
unexplainable.
Sometimes, folktales have repeated phrases.
Folktales explain a natural phenomena that
otherwise would have no explanation.

13. Your Task
With a partner, collect two or three
folktales. Read them together, and locate
the elements of the folktale that are
evident in your selections. Be prepared to
share your work with the class