Myth-Legend Fable-Fairy-tale

I believe that a myth is much like a legend in the sense that they are both verbal stories passed down from generation to generation though authenticity of authorship remains unknown. Both genres incorporate a lesson to be learned by the listener. Factual history along with the creative imput of ancestors appear to be a large component in legends. On the other hand, a myth is an exciting story generally dealing with nature and gods.


If the difference between a myth and a legend is the history and factuality of the story, then what is the difference between a fable and a fairy-tale? A fairy-tale is fictitious, created to trigger the imagination with characters such as fairies, giants, knomes incorporated in a plot generally centered around magic. A fable, also fictitious at its root, teaches a moral lesson personified via common animals and/or insects (Tortoise and the Hare, Ant and the Grasshopper, etc.)

sananda

Myth V.S Legend

Myth-a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. Legend-a non-historical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical. Now whats the difference between the two? Both belong to a realm/surreal world, with no rules or limits. Both are not proven right or wrong, and both can be stories passed down by generations of humans. I believe there is no difference, what I think is that myth is just a branch coming off the root of legend.



Fairy tale V.S Fable

A Fairy tale usually is a story, read to children, that involves mythical creatures such as dragons, fairies, etc. A fable, like a fairy tale is read to children, but has a moral at the end of the story, and instead of involving mythical creatures, it involves animals such as bunny's, mice, etc. For example, when I was a little kid I would always listen to the coyote tales, which would usually end with a moral like, that's why coyotes have black noses, or something like that.

Myth vs. Legend, Fairy Tale vs. Fable

Although myths are often misnamed as legends and vise versa, there is a distinct difference between the two. Myths are usually events that have no logical explanation. Myths are not categorized as true or untrue. They are often a base of religion. Legends on the other hand are stories which are usually told like a historical event. They are very rarely explanations. Sometimes legends have a basis in an actual historical event. Both legends and myths are partly fictatious and partly true. Fables and fairy tales are often stories told for children. A fable always contains a moral or lesson. A fairy tale is full of magic and usually contains magical numbers and a plot of good versus evil. I think of fairy tales as magical ficton stories, whereas fables are stories based on reality with a message. Examples of fairy tales are Cinderalla, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Princess and the Pea. Some fables are the Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy who Cried Wolf and Stone Soup.

Myths, Legends, Fables, and Fairy Tales...

I believe that a myth is a story that has been handed down through generations, and is usually about a supernatural happening. A legend is also very old and is passed on by spoken word, but is generally a little more believable and seem as though they might have actually happened. A certain place or culture may have their own myths or legends, and these stories can be very important to the identity of that place. Myths and legends are similar, but their content is different, and that it what makes them separate from each other.

Fairy tales and fables are also similar, but separate. Fairy tales are children's stories that contain magical creatures and places. Fables are also stories usually told to children, but they contain a moral. And, I've found, they have animals in them. An example of a fable would be "The Hare and the Tortoise," which has the moral "slow and steady wins the race." Fables and fairy tales are different mostly because fables have morals and fables do not.

Myths, Legends, Fables, and Fairy Tales

A myth is a fictional tale, originating from the Greek term mythos meaning “speech” that tells of gods and goddesses or other supernatural beings. Many myths are about the creation of the universe, or they explain moral values. Some say myths are the earliest forms of history and philosophy. A legend, on the other hand, loosely bases itself off a historical event. People retell and elaborate on legends from generation to generation. Rather than being about mythical beings, legends concern people.
A fable is a story involving talking animals. Fables conclude with a moral or lesson about life. They originate from the Latin term fabula, which means “story.” Fairy tales, like myths, may also involve magical creatures such as dragons and witches. These stories help to explain the real world with embellishments and mysticism.

Myths and Legends are stories that are often very ancient, and with both of them, you can't know whether they are true. Myths are stories that are very much up to your interpretation, and they often deal with more complicated things than Legends do. Legends often have to do with people or animals, such as the legend about the Loch-ness monster. Also, Legends often seem more believable than Myth. Though there is a lot of overlap, I think that these two terms are very different.

Fairy Tales are often about magical or mystical things--things that don't seem possible. Fairy tales are meant to come alive in your imagination. Fables are often more mature, and have a lesson to learn from the story, but they are also stories meant to be enjoyed. I think that Fairy Tales and Fables are often the same thing.

Myth, Legend, Fable, Fairy-tale?

How would you differentiate between these terms? How is Myth different from Legend in your mind? How is a fable different than a fairy-tale? OR are they all the same? You decide.

Answer in two paragraphs: the first answering the myth/legend question, the second answering the fable/fairy-tale query.

We will talk about this in class; feel free to consult a dictionary if needed. Post by Tuesday

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