Traditions and Transitions folk narrative in the contemporary world
16-20
July 2001 The University of Melbourne, Australia
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Traditions and Transitions folk narrative in the contemporary world |
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Due to the Romantic Movement that encouraged the
collection of folk poetry, at the beginning of the nineteenth century increased
attention was paid to recent oral traditions, and it was at that time that oral
texts began to be recorded. Appreciation of oral traditions was increasing and
they were valued just as much as literature. Pedagogues advocating an
independent literature for children recognized the importance of folktales
especially for the mediation of bourgeois virtues and social norms. Influenced
by the stylistic model of the Brothers Grimm’s Household Tales, and as a
result of the propagation of national literatures, a broad range of
applications within the printed and pictorial media developed in the European
countries. Whereas at first it was the texts that were at the centre of
attention, the development of printing techniques and the decreasing costs of
production promoted the multiple uses of folktales as texts and as well as
illustrations.
My paper will deal with different spheres of application and will outline the
functions of folktales as popular reading material. Recent European
developments will be described: 1) a trend towards uniformity (Disney style),
2) a tendency towards international cooperation in the production of folktale
books and magazines, 3) uses of folktales for metaphorical-symbolical
functions.
On the whole, folktales, as products of mass culture, possess multiple
applicability. Established and popular folktales, so-called favourite tales,
have a high recognition value. Obviously, the texts are carriers of norms and
wishful thinking that correspond to collective needs.
This makes it clear enough that folktales can be called the avant-garde of
European literature for children and the young. However, any claims to
exclusiveness would be inappropriate. Other literary genres and their important
representatives also have their share and are appreciated as 'classics' in many
European languages.
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| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |