"discoverer-of-the-sun": Mythology as a Reflection of Culture
Lessa, William A. (January 1966). ""discoverer-of-the-sun": Mythology as a Reflection of Culture". The Journal of American Folklore. 79 (311): 3. doi:10.2307/537490. ISSN 0021-8715.
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Abstract: The paper titled "discoverer-of-the-sun": Mythology as a Reflection of Culture by William A. Lessa examines the interplay between mythology and cultural elements within Ulithian folklore. The study primarily centers on the narrative structures and thematic elements present in these folkloric tales, providing insights into Ulithian culture.
Narrative Structure: The research identifies a characteristic structure in Ulithian stories, notably their stylized introductions, which typically include information about the characters such as their number, sex, age, marital status, and place of residence. These setups are consistent across a majority of the stories. However, the epilogues in Ulithian tales are less consistent compared to the introductions.
Story Elements and Style: Ulithian folklore is marked by fantastical elements and preposterous scenarios, which help define the traditional narrative style. These tales often involve fantastical elements such as wooden birds that can fly and spirits transforming, contributing to a unique storytelling approach that leans heavily on cultural myths . Such stylistic fantastical components are less prevalent in real-life accounts collected through tests (Thematic Apperception Test or TAT), suggesting a divide between cultural fantasy and documented reality.
Cultural Reflection: The tales reflect important aspects of Ulithian life, like the centrality of family and kinship, the significance of political gatherings at the men's house, and the cultural practices surrounding the menstrual house. This suggests that while these stories are infused with creativity and fantasy, they remain grounded in the real cultural and social practices of Ulithian society.
Comparisons and Methodology: The study compares Ulithian folktales with TAT responses collected, noting a significant difference in plot and imaginative depth. The TAT responses tend to be more concrete, specific, and simple, reflecting real-life cultural and social order rather than the dynamism and imagination found in the folktales. Despite the differences, both sets share elements of concreteness and enumeration, often due to the nature of the methodological tests.
Conclusion: Lessa concludes that Ulithian folklore, through its structured narratives and rich thematic elements, serves as a valuable reflection of the cultural ethos, societal norms, and fantastical imaginings of the Ulithian people. The study highlights that storytelling is a significant cultural practice, revealing much about the everyday life and beliefs of the society.
Extra details:
MAG: 2068490481 OpenAlex: W2068490481 CorpusID: 162366194
