Modern Folklore: The semester's focus includes texts like Latin and American Born Chinese, which use folklore set in a contemporary or futuristic context to discuss current issues.
Adapting Folklore: Students will create their own versions of folklore that reflect modern circumstances and apply previously learned narrative conventions.
Ongoing Relevance: Folklore is not just historical; it continues to be relevant as cultures adapt and evolve through storytelling.
Objectives of the Project
Adapt a Folktale: Students will adapt a traditional story to reflect local issues in Red Deer, Alberta, considering the lived experiences and concerns of children.
Critical Reflection: Justify and analyze your adaptations, demonstrating understanding of course material and the conventions of folklore.
Pillars of the Project
The project involves Expand Your Mind, Move Your Mood, and can integrate themes such as positive self-esteem, gratitude, and the importance of community.
All adaptations should focus on a story that could be engaging for children while incorporating these themes.
Fairy Tales and Emotional Truths
Psychoanalytic View: Fairy tales serve as tools for discussing difficult topics with children. They reveal truths about human experiences, including adversity and resilience.
They don’t shy away from negativity and darkness but show that these struggles can lead to growth and strength.
The Role of Storytelling in The Last Fantista
Cultural Transmission: The importance of stories passed down through generations is highlighted through the character Lita and her knowledge shared with Petra.
Folklore and Character Relationships: The oral storytelling tradition strengthens relationships, creating bonds between generations and helping Petra navigate her fears and uncertainties.
Myth and Explanation
Example of Creation Myths: Like myths explain natural phenomena; for instance, a story about Halley's Comet is illustrated through folklore (Nagu figure) to provide a narrative context for understanding celestial events.
Personal Connection to Folklore: Students are encouraged to create stories that resonate with personal experiences while drawing from traditional frameworks.
Themes of Sameness vs. Equality
The distinction between sameness (conformity) and equality (respect for differences) is crucial in understanding societal dynamics.
Exploration of identity and acceptance against a backdrop of collective uniformity portrays how individual differences contribute to community strength.
Challenging the Norms
The conversation addresses the dangers of erasing history and cultural narratives, which is central to the project. Knowledge keepers (like Lita) play a vital role in preserving stories that shape identity and community.
Resistance and Empowerment: Petra's journey emphasizes the power of stories in resisting oppressive narratives, showing the significance of cultural storytelling for empowerment.
Storytelling and Culture in The Last Fantista
The blend of indigenous and Spanish cultural elements in stories like the Virgin of Guadalupe and Day of the Dead highlights how new traditions evolve from historical narratives.
Multiple story layers serve to equip Petra with the tools to navigate her new environment upon leaving Earth, illustrating the importance of being rooted in cultural storytelling to foster resilience.
Project Guidelines
Story Adaptation: Students will create a story with a word range conducive to children's reading ability (aim for a comfortable reading duration).
Critical Reflection Component: Prepare to discuss the adaptation process and connect it to course concepts, showcasing the evolution of storytelling and its application in contemporary contexts.
Conclusion
End Goal: The adaptation project aims to instill understanding of the ongoing impact of folklore, preparing students to engage with and contribute to their cultural narratives, ensuring that these stories continue to evolve and inspire future generations.