""The Folktale"" by Stith Thompson is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the world of folktales. This book explores the origins, structure, and themes of folktales from around the world, providing a fascinating glimpse into the cultural traditions and beliefs of different societies. Thompson begins by defining what a folktale is, and then delves into the history of folktales, tracing their roots back to ancient times. He explores the different types of folktales, including animal tales, fairy tales, and legends, and explains the characteristics that define each type. The book also examines the various elements that make up a folktale, such as plot, character, setting, and theme. Thompson provides numerous examples of folktales from different cultures, and analyzes them in detail, highlighting the unique features of each story. In addition, ""The Folktale"" looks at the ways in which folktales have been collected and studied over the years, and discusses the role of folktales in shaping cultural identity and transmitting values and beliefs from one generation to the next. Overall, ""The Folktale"" is an essential resource for anyone interested in the study of folklore, literature, or cultural anthropology. It is a rich and engaging exploration of the world of folktales, and a testament to the enduring power and appeal of these timeless stories.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.