Thursday, January 24, 2008
What is the importance of tales?
Up to this point, you have read two French tales: Le Laustic by Marie de France and Melusine by Jean d'Arras. In your opinion, what is the importance of tales? Why are tales a part of every literary tradition? What does this tales tell you about French society and culture from the 12th-14 centuries? Discuss.
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13 comments:
Every culture has tales (that's pretty obvious, I guess) but I mention that because it gives some insight into the importance of these tales. I think that the main purpose of tales is to pass on certain traditions, lessons, etc. For instance, Melusine teaches the importance of not taking things at face value, the importance of investigating, and also paying attention to signs around you. Aside from this all important purpose, tales also serve as pure entertainment, especially in cultures where there was no TV and no radio. Tales served as one of the main modes of entertainment, hence their fantastical, mystical, and extravagant elements. I mean, seriously, half woman, half snake?! It is entirely possible to imagine an ancient culture gathered around telling stories for entertainment, just like we watch TV or go to the movies :)
I think that tales bring us together. Everyone can relate to a tale. There is usually a moral or message to take away from them after you read. Whether you are French or American we can all understand that people aren't always what they seem at first. Like we learn from Melusine. I think that tales bridge our cultures together. I also think that afua is right. People love to listen or read tales for entertainment. Before TV and technology, that was all they had.
I do believe as afua said that tales are for entertainment purposes and so much more. Not only entartainment but for knowledge as well. You can gain so much out of tales such as the morals presented and so forth. Not only is there morals to be read but hidden puzzle pieces to put together like the symbolism behind the serpent human in Melusine. My mind rushes with symbols that could correlate with this story. When I think of a tale I generally think back to childhood when I am all tucked into bed with my parent reading me a bed time story to lull me to sleep. Imaginations run wild with the themes portrayed in tales.
I also agree with Afua. Every culture does have tales that give some glimpse into their beliefs and culture at the time, as well as provide entertainment. I also believe that tales can also give a bit of history about culture. I know that I have read some tales from different cultures that have given reference to some events that happened before the tale was written. The bottom line is that I believe tales serve the purpose of showing us the culture, beliefs, and history of the area in from which they come.
I mean I think Afua pretty much nailed it. Tales are old stories passed down from generation to generation which is pretty much the definition of ancient tradition. They made these "tales" in order to relate story in an imaginative way to capture their audience. It could be based off true stories or purely made up. Tales are a definite means to bring groups together and promote interaction and creates ideas outside the box. Tales allow us to use our imgination and step outside what is real sometimes. Whether your french or american it links us as a whole.
I agree with Afua. Tales can also be used to pass history down from one generation to another. Now, I don't think that Melusine was a historical fact, but they can also be used for that. They're also used to teach morals and various lessons.
Tales are important because they give you an idea of what a specific culture values, honors, or hates. This tale tells me a lot about French tradition in the 12th century and what they enjoyed. Afua had a good point about the entertainment, becasue sometimes that is the only source.
french tales are important because they show how the society was during that time period. it reflects common beliefs throughout the land and can in turn be interpreted many different ways, depending on their cultures. tales help people with there imagination. one can build upon a tale and make it there own.
Tales are a huge part of every culture. They are often used for entertainment purposes, but they have a much deeper meaning as well. The story of Melusine teaches the lesson that things aren't always as they appear. We must look deeper into things to see what they really mean. Afua is right that our tales are spread in different ways in the present day such as in books and movies, when back then the only way of spreading them was by word of mouth.
Much like the fables that we heard when we were younger the tales of every culture teach a lesson. Much like Afua said, the literature that we read influences us just like TV and radio do today. I feel that the literature of the time gives us just a glimpse of moral ideas and what was culturally accepted at the time when they were written.
I agree all these tales gives us a glimpse into a world we were not a part of and in a city we have never been. These tales show us how different people but how we still can relate to one another.
Tales are a part of how people communicate to each other. Tales offer a way of expressing oneself to others. Tales are used for entertainment and relaxation. And like Afua said they help pass down important traditions to other generations. Tales are a very important aspect of older cultures and of cultures today. Tales are timeless.
Tales and narratives provide a reflection of a culture. You think about The Odyssey and the effect it had on the entire Greek culture. It is no different with French literature or tales. Tales reflect the culture that they are in and are vital for history and for the future knowledge of past cultures.
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