Assignment 3: Create a folktale variant

Purpose

Learning to “do” folklore is like learning a language – if you speak it, you better understand other people who speak. If you can “tell” a folktale, you better understand oral performers like Jane Muncy or Zsuzsanna Palko. If you “write” or “illustrate” a folktale, you better understand the Brothers Grimm.

Overview

Instructions:

1. Create a variant of a folktale type that we encountered in class (stories from other sources should first be discussed with the instructor).

You can record yourself telling it (this works best if you have somebody listening while you tell). Try to improvise, not memorize or read from a written text!

You can also record another person telling it to you.

Or you can skip oral performance and write a readable story, paint pictures, draw comics, create a video, sculpture, etc.

Then, write the Annotation that you will submit on Canvas:

2. Write a short introduction/summary of what you did in #1, and what your reader should listen or look for in your performance, pictures, etc.).

Insert any pictures or written story text here. (If you are sharing audio or video recording, type the link to the shared drive). Extra credit if you transcribe an oral, improvised performance!

3. Annotate your new variant (125-250 words):

· Text : Summarize the Type description. Point out significant motifs in your text.

· (You’ll find type descriptions in the Canvas page: If your folktale is not in the list, write to guntiss@uw.edu – mention the Type number if you know it, or summarize the plot of your folktale, and he’ll send you the type description).

· Variants: Compare your text to at least one variant. What motifs does your text share or adapt, and how?

· Texture : Comment on performance style (tales can be “performed” orally, visually, in writing, etc.). Note traditional patterns (Olrik’s “laws”, Holbek’s “structure”).

· Context : connect the text to its tradition, its performer (and don’t forget to describe the audience!)

· Interpret meaning and function, based on ideas from Module Four.

Alternate assignment 3, group project with classmates or friends: (Please discuss your plans with the instructor, at least a week before the due date). Create a variant of the mummers play described by Glassie. Post a shared video. Each student participant must submit their own annotation, including a link to the shared video (125-250 words):

· Text : Compare the performed text to texts assigned in class; Variants: Compare to variant(s) described by Boyle, Flanagan, or others in All Silver & No Brass. Texture : Comment on how the text was performed; Context : connect the text to its tradition, its performers and audience; Add comparative notes / interpretations based on ideas or examples from the course.

Privacy:

Only two people will see your work: Your teacher, and one student peer-reviewer. Your privacy and creative work is protected:

· It is illegal for anybody to download or share your work outside of this class, without your written permission.

· Model storytellers whom we’ve seen in Module 4, ideas for your variant:

1. Oral storytellers:

· Jane Muncy told a variant of ATU 327; Aato Kemppianen told ATU 510A; Zsuzsanna Palko told ATU 532; Clarissa Pinkola Estes told ATU 312;

· the Brothers Grimm wrote a variant of ATU 327; and

· the creators of movies like Into the Woods or Soldier Jack also told variants of ATU 310, 328, 333, 510A,

· etc.

Grading Criteria

This assignment is marked out of 25 points. Points are awarded based on the following six (6) criteria:

15 pts – Create: record yourself or another person telling it; or you can write it, paint pictures, draw comics, create a video, sculpture, etc. (above 12 points = going above and beyond the basic requirement)

Annotate:

2 pts – Text: summarize the Type description. Point out significant motifs.

2 pts – Variants: Compare how the type & motifs are adapted in a variant from course assignments & lectures.

2 pts – Texture: note traditional patterns (Olrik’s “laws”, Holbek’s “structure”); comment on performance style (tales can be “performed” orally, visually, in writing, etc.)

2 pts – Meaning(s): Interpret what the text means to its teller/audience, and how it might function.

2 pts – Context: Connect the text to its tradition, its performer and audience. Compare yourself (or your narrator) to storytellers encountered in class.