Folklore: The Basics

The Basics

by Simon J. Bronner

Folklore: The Basics is an engaging guide to the practice and interpretation of folklore. Taking examples from around the world, it explores the role of folklore in expressing fundamental human needs, desires, and anxieties that often are often not revealed through other means. Providing a clear framework for approaching the study of folklore, it introduces the reader to methodologies for identifying, documenting, interpreting and applying key information about folklore and its relevance to modern life. From the Brothers Grimm to Internet Memes, it addresses such topics as:



What is folklore? How do we study it? Why does folklore matter? How does folklore relate to elite culture? Is folklore changing in a digital age?


With case studies, suggestions for reading and a glossary of key terminology, Folklore: The Basics supports readers in becoming familiar with folkloric traditions and interpret cultural expression. It is an essential read for anyone approaching the study of folklore for the first time.

Genres: Folklore, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 8, 2016

Reviews

[Mark Isaak · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title implies, this book does not go into much depth about folklore, but it covers wide breadth. An introduction gives mostly a history of the field. The other chapter titles are good descriptions of their contents: 1. What is folklore, and why does it matter? Problem and practice. 2. What does folklore denote? Identification and annotation. 3. What does folklore connote? Analysis and explanation. 4. What is folklore's relevance? Implications and applications. The chapters are well organized, and examples are drawn from all areas of folklore. The language is mostly clear and not too dry, but new terminology is sometimes not fully explained. My biggest gripe is that the section on theories of folklore's meaning fails to ask the question, "How do you know?"; it seems to give credence to any idea so long as it sounds somewhat plausible, even if the underlying theory is discredited. Perhaps, though, that is a problem with the field and not just the book.

[Janey Locander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vague and uninteresting but it provided good context for the class I read it for.