Most folk and fairy tales have their origins in the oral tradition, with written manuscripts dating as far back as 1250BC with “The Tale of Two Brothers,” an Egyptian tale recorded on papyrus.
Some of the more famous collections include Aesops Fables, The Jataka (Buddist literature), The Panchatantra (India), The Thousand and One Nights, and much later The Brothers Grimm tales for children (have you read them lately–they are horrifying).
Within this genre there are many varieties, beast fables, exemplums, myths, legends, etc.
Here’s a text from GHC’s library collection from Galileo’s Ebook Central:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/highlands/reader.action?docID=491613&ppg=1 that provides a great deal more information. I’m not assigning a specific reading from this text, but it is an excellent resource for English majors who want to know a bit more about this genre.
Reading Assignment:
Read the “Introduction” and select any 2 tales from this modern collection of classic tales: World Folktales.
Instructions
Select any two readings from the assigned text. Relate your selected readings to your own life and/or to our current social, political, or economic climate. This time, you won’t read anyone else’s. I still want you to refer to the readings (Quotes) and connect the work to specific applications.
As always, use MLA style and write well. Try to enjoy this soft landing of the course–the readings are short and easy, and the writing assignment is personal. You’re welcome!
