Perspectives on Folklore

by Amy Shultz

“Folklore is a general term for the verbal, spiritual, and material aspects of any culture that are transmitted orally, by observation, or by imitation (Encarta, n.p.).”

My fifth-grade daughter and I recently interviewed a 98-year-old lady, hoping to gain insight into what it was like to be alive through World War I and World War II. Stepping inside her home was like going back in time; it was dark and musty and filled with antiques that were still in use. Our new friend, hungry for company, told us very little about her wartime memories. But as she rattled on, we soaked in the perspective of a woman, born in 1909 in southern Indiana.

Her most vivid memory was that of a visit from an Indiana governor to her family’s home. As the governor came to the front door, his African-American chauffeur came to the back door. This lady recalled the incident as the first time she laid eyes on a “colored person” (J. Beal, personal interview, April 22, 2007). My daughter’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped with the discovery that the chauffeur was relegated to using the back door and eating in the kitchen. Because she had been studying the African slave trade, researching the Civil War, and preparing to delve into the civil rights movement, this social reality made an indelible imprint on her mind.

As we rose to leave, our lonely hostess continued speaking, anxious for the opportunity to share not just old memories, but her love of gardening. She explained that she’d thought the cold snap had ruined her rhubarb, but that they were beginning to revive. In a few weeks, she’d “have a notion” to set her chair in the garden to set her potatoes. It was hard to drag ourselves away, but my daughter intends to go back soon, bringing friends with her to plant some flowers around the house and visit.

What did my daughter gain from this experience? She came face to face with another “culture” through a woman whose perspective, speech-patterns, daily habits, hobbies, and values have been forged by 98 years of experiences. The folklore shared during our visit helped my daughter to form a new relationship, one that will deepen her ties to her community (and maybe teach her a little about gardening!).

Teachers who want to take advantage of the best cultural resources for folklore should consider exploring their own communities. Research may mean trips to grandparents’ homes, local nursing facilities, community centers, or even barbershops. These types of projects can also help students develop the real-world skills of communication. And while students are investigating their families’ heritage or their communities’ traditions, they may receive the priceless gift of appreciating the perspectives of others.

Sources

Folklore. (2007). In Encarta Online Encyclopedia [Web]. Microsoft Corporation.

Retrieved May 4, 2007, from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578070/Folklore.html

Amy Shultz

Amy Shultz, former fourth grade teacher, works as a facilitator for the Buddy Teaching and Learning Center. She also writes for The Write Connection newsletter and The Writing Site, under the Buddy System Project.

This featured article appeared in Volume 2, Number 4 issue of the Write Connections quarterly newsletter. View other archived newsletters , a topical organization of all newsletters, or sign-up to receive notification when the next newsletters are ready to download.