FOLK 202 Urban Legends

Legend

The improbable within the world of the possible: “The art of legendry engages the listener’s sense of the possible”

Legend can be subdivided into smaller genres:

• Religious legends

• Supernatural legends

• Personal legends

• Local/Historical legends

• Urban legends

validating formulas

Narrative frames intended to give credibility to the reported event

Urban Legends

a subgenre of legends that center on moments of bizarre, humorous, or out-of ordinary events that express collective fears and anxieties about living in the current moment

Localization (Oikotypification)

“Many changes are predictable adaptations to make the stories fit local conditions. Especially in an oral tradition that is considered true (like legends), circumstantial details of name, place, time, and situation often enter into narrators’ performances

Functions

• Warning (real or symbolic)

• Deep criticism of humans, their values, and society in generally

• Communication of collective fears and anxieties

Baby Sitter and the man upstairs

A popular urban legend about a teenage babysitter who receives unsettling phone calls from a man upstairs, only to discover that the calls are coming from within the house.

Hairy-armed hitchhiker

A folklore urban legend about a hitchhiker who has hairy arms, often leading to eerie consequences for those who pick them up.

Kidney theft

An urban legend involving the abduction of a person to remove their kidneys for illegal sale, often highlighting themes of fear and distrust.

Welcome to the World of AIDS

A disturbing urban legend about a person who is infected with HIV and deliberately spreads the virus to others, often emphasizing the fear surrounding the disease.

McPuss Sandwhich

An urban legend about a fast-food sandwich containing an unexpected and disturbing ingredient, often implying unsanitary practices in food preparation.

toothbrush bandits

An urban legend about thieves who steal used toothbrushes to reuse them, highlighting concerns over hygiene and personal safety.

fart in the dark

An urban legend about a person who accidentally passes gas in a social setting, leading to embarrassment and humorous consequences, often emphasizing the discomfort of public situations.