Homefun: Legends

1. According to Brunvand how are legends, rumors, and anecdotes "alike"?
2. How do legends differ from myths?
3. Give two examples of a "validating formula" you have heard.
4. Explain what a "memorate" is.
5.  (A) read about the elevator urban legend and answer the questions; (B) Collect a different urban legend (you may have to prime the pump by discussing vanishing hitchhikers, some amazing invention, rats in the fast food...), and answer the questions. Whichever second legend you select, please try to show some thought and insight when you answer the questions.
6. The family can be viewed as a culture, and like any culture, they have customs, celebrations and stories.Stories about family members often have recurring themes, are often told at certain times (family reunions, holidays, dinners...),and they serve various important functions. Among the common functions are: to offer instruction, serve as a warning, define family norms, build status, and reinforce family bonds. Certain writers, such as Dickens, William Faulkner, and Alice Walker have made much use of family folklore in their literature. Remember or collect one of the following types of family stories (if your family has no stories, find someone who does), and do the following:
• Provide a brief summary of the story
• State when the story is most likely to be told.
• What do you believe might be the story's function(s)? Why do you believe this?
Common types of family stories:
• A "family misfortune" story? (a story about how the family money was lost; how someone was cheated out of an invention or investment).
• A story that portrays a mother's sacrifice for a child or love? (gave up a good career, was disinherited by her family, or perhaps worked menial jobs).
• A story that points out a particular family trait? (could be artistic, volatile, stubborn, hard working, eccentric, bad marriages...).
• A story about ancestors from different countries, ethnicities, cultures?
• A Story about black sheep in the family.
• Story about uncontrolled passion--love at first sight.
• Story about illustrious ancestor.
• Story about revenge.
• Story about why _____ went crazy.
• Story about a family curse.