Folklore and Book CultureTo many observers, folklore and book culture might appear to be opposites. Folklore, after all, involves orally circulated stories and traditions while book culture is concerned with the transmission of written texts. However, as Kevin J. Hayes points out, there are many instances where the two intersect, and exploring those intersections is the purpose of this fascinating and provocative study. Hayes shows that the acquisition of knowledge and the ownership of books have not displaced folklore but instead have given rise to new beliefs and superstitions. Some book have generated new proverbs; others have fostered their own legends. Occasionally the book has served as an important motif in folklore, and in one folk genre - the flyleaf rhyme - the book itself has become the place where folklore occurs, thus indicating a lively interaction between folk, print, and manuscript culture. Solidly researched and venturing into areas long neglected by scholars, Folklore and Book Culture is a work that will engage not only folklorists but historians and literary scholars as well. |
Contents
Volksbuch and Proverb in Early America | 1 |
The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses | 14 |
Superstition and the Book | 28 |
The Book in Icelandic Magicians Legends | 44 |
Inexperienced Use of the Black Book | 59 |
Three Brothers in the Philippines | 74 |
Traditional Flyleaf Rhymes | 89 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
American American Folklore appears asks became become begins beliefs Bible black book book owner book's Books of Moses borrower Brothers century chapbook Chapter child collection concerning contained copy County culture devil Dod's early editions England English example Filipino flyleaf Folk Folklore Folktales Friend German give hand History Hurston Hyatt Icelandic Illinois important inscription John knowledge language learned legend Library literacy located London magic Magicians master motif never Nick North Notes and Queries numerous object oral person Philippines Popular practice Press princess printed Proverbs published Puckett Ohio Quezon City recorded remains require rhymes Sæmundur Sayings School Seventh Books shows simply Sixth and Seventh Society story suggests superstitions tale telescope tells thing Thomas tradition Univ verse versions Volksbuch volume writing written York
Popular passages
Page 158 - Pepys' Diary and Correspondence. With Seven Steel Portraits arranged as a Frontispiece, Memoir, Introductory Preface, and full Index. Abbeys, Castles, and Ancient Halls of England and Wales. Their Legendary Lore and Popular History— South, Midland, North. By JOHN TIMES. Author of " Curiosities of London,