Review: Tales from Ulithi Atoll: a Comparative Study in Oceanic Folklore. William A. Lessa

Fischer, J. L. (June 1963). "Review: Tales from Ulithi Atoll: a Comparative Study in Oceanic Folklore. William A. Lessa". American Anthropologist. 65 (3): 746–747. doi:10.1525/aa.1963.65.3.02a00590. ISSN 1548-1433 0002-7294, 1548-1433 .

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Abstract: The article being reviewed is “Tales from Ulithi Atoll: a Comparative Study in Oceanic Folklore” by William A. Lessa. The monograph is structured in two main parts. The first part provides English translations of Ulithian folktales, accomplished with the aid of an interpreter, making these translations both full and careful. The second part delves into a broader discussion of folklore, exploring various tale types and motifs from other cultures. Lessa includes his observations on different theoretical approaches to folklore, such as psychoanalytic theory, naturistic theories of mythology, and the role of myths as institutional charters.

Additionally, the study is supported by an extensive bibliography, which is primarily comprised of references to collections of folklore. Lessa also explores the cultural context of Ulithian folklore, suggesting that Ulithian culture is a blend with not particularly distinctive characteristics, as indicated by its folktales. He takes a diffusionist perspective, believing that the folktales demonstrate the conglomerate nature of Ulithian culture.

The reviews, by J.L. Fiscuer and Katharine Luomata, highlight the significance of Lessa’s work in the context of recently published reference works such as motif-indexes and tale-type catalogs, emphasizing their importance to scholars of oral narratives. The publication is appreciated for its contribution to the series and broader academic field despite the complexity involved in understanding the organization and purpose of such folkloric guides.

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MAG: 2113101360
OpenAlex: W2113101360
CorpusID: 163149772