Dynamics Of Folklore
In The Dynamics Of Folklore, Barre Toelken discusses the history, meaning and variety of folklore. He considers "the biology of folklore" and emphasizes the dynamic, everyday, everywhere richness of folk expressions from occupational and ethnic lore to foodways, holidays, personal experience narratives, legends, ballads, myths, provers, jokes, crafts, and others, clearly tracing the cultural worldviews folklore conveys and how it expresses them. Throughout the text Toelken offers students and others practical instruction and advice on methods and study, including field research, cross-cultural understanding, discerning the context and meaning of folk performances, and recording and archiving folklore. Extensive bibliographical essays outline the history and literature of folklore, and over one hundred photographs illustrate examples of folk events, arts, and processes. The Dynamics Of Folklore is a benchmark body of scholarship and essential reading for any serious folklorist.  --Midwest Book Review