THE SPECIFICITY OF WORLD FOLK TALES: A CULTURAL AND NARRATIVE EXPLORATION
Keywords:
folk tales, cultural identity, narrative structure, archetypes, oral tradition, cross-cultural storytelling, moral frameworks, mythology.Abstract
Folk tales, as oral and written narratives passed down through generations, are cultural artifacts that encapsulate the values, beliefs, and histories of diverse societies. This thesis explores the specificity of world folk tales, examining their universal themes, regional variations, and narrative structures. By analyzing common archetypes, motifs, and storytelling techniques, it highlights how folk tales reflect both shared human experiences and unique cultural identities. Through a comparative approach, drawing on examples from African, European, Asian, and indigenous American traditions, the study illustrates the interplay between universal and localized elements in folk narratives, emphasizing their role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
