“I was looking for a textbook for my introductory folklore course that aligned with my interests (global) and perspectives (critically analytical and comparative). I was disappointed I could not find the right mix of substance, theory, and history. And then, lo and behold, I came across Folklore Unbound. It is precisely what I was seeking!” — Frank Spaulding, Bridgewater State University
“Readers interested in the impact of certain ideas, particularly those of the structuralists and the performance-oriented turn in American folklore, will find a great deal to think about in Webber’s book. When I began to read this book as small meditations on particular aspects of the discipline, I found the volume to be at its best, providing a great deal of food for thought.” — Timothy Tangherlini, University of California, Los Angeles
“Upon completion of Folklore Unbound, the reader is left with a feeling of intense immersion in an exciting, historic, international, and deeply meaningful field of study.” — Journal of Folklore Research
“An insightful, useful overview of the history and development of folklore studies, including recent and contemporary works. Concepts and issues are contextualized. I particularly enjoyed the sections on gender-related narratives and on performance.” — Susan Rasmussen, University of Houston
“Folklore Unbound is a very special book. It could, and should, emerge as a classic that will serve to introduce the discipline of folklore to interested readers of varying backgrounds.”— Carl Lindahl, University of Houston
“I wish I had been able to read Folklore Unbound early on in my graduate studies. There is definitely a place for this kind of introductory text in the field.” — Sheila Bock, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
138 pages, $23.95 list
1-4786-1533-8
978-1-4786-1533-0
© 2015
paperback
eBook availability
Folklore Unbound
A Concise Introduction
Folklore is a powerful resource that not only manages the past, giving it continuity, but also usefully comments on present cultural and social issues. This thoughtful, incisive work first charts important dimensions in the development of folklore studies from the eighteenth century to the present. Next, it marshals the major theoretical issues of the modern discipline, including performance theory, genre theory, the relationship with culture studies and the study of linguistic and musical art forms, the insights of comparative studies, public folklore, and even the place of folklore in the media.
Webber draws heavily on the influential work and maverick charisma of Alan Dundes, world famous folklorist who expanded the definitions of both “folk” and “lore” for thousands of folklore students and underscored why lore should be studied ethnographically and aesthetically. Webber’s aim is to evaluate the study of folklore as a tool for understanding the lived experience of various “folk” and for questioning, rather than reinforcing, the status quo. Her work, which draws from the rich methods and materials of many disciplines, shows originality, breadth, and a firm grasp of the history of folkloristics.
Webber draws heavily on the influential work and maverick charisma of Alan Dundes, world famous folklorist who expanded the definitions of both “folk” and “lore” for thousands of folklore students and underscored why lore should be studied ethnographically and aesthetically. Webber’s aim is to evaluate the study of folklore as a tool for understanding the lived experience of various “folk” and for questioning, rather than reinforcing, the status quo. Her work, which draws from the rich methods and materials of many disciplines, shows originality, breadth, and a firm grasp of the history of folkloristics.
Reactions
Introduction: Folklore Today and Yesterday
A Folk/Lore Moment / Reorienting Folklore / The Folk / The Lore / Book Plan
1. Beginnings: Folklore Undisciplined, 1760–1900
A Caution / The Theme of Loss / The First Fakelore or the Homer of Scotland?: James Macpherson’s Ossian / Folklore Studies and the Nation-State / Popular Antiquities versus Manners and Customs: “Survivals” and the Birth of Folklore / Singing, Dancing Throng: The Communal or “Marshmallow” Theory / Early Folklore Studies: Mrs. Grundy & Fluttering in the Dovecotes / Manners and Customs / Devolution versus Evolution / Conclusion
2. Modern or Postmodern: The Devil Is in the Details
Postcolonial : Postmodern :: Colonial : Modern? / Dis-eases / Dis-eases of Language: Origin Quests and Survivals / Purity and Danger / More on Budget Dis-ease / “Social” Dis-eases: Betwixt and Between / Conclusion
3. Aesthetic Discourse and Cultural Affect
Part One: Defining Lore / Part Two: Material Culture / Conclusion
4. The Folk Soul vs. the Primitive Mind
Folk and Folklorist / Fear of Going Native / Of Purity, Authenticity, and Levels of Folkness / At Home and Abroad: Travelers, Missionaries, Anthropologists, and Folklorists / Talking Back / Betwixt and Between: A Confusion of Categories / Writing Culture / “That’s Not What I Said” / Conclusion
5. Performance
“Breakthrough into Performance” / Performing Difference / Material Culture as Performance / Folklore and Cultural Capital / Orality and Literacy / Conclusion
6. Comparative Folklore
Motif and Tale-Type Indexes: Methods for Studying the “Development” of Folktales (Märchen) / More Dust on the Folklorists? / Structuralism / Comparing Verbal Art and Material Culture Structures / Conclusion
7. Challenges for the Future: Folklore Today and Tomorrow
Folklore as Cultural Commentary: The Affecting Presence / Disciplinary Tight Chemises (and Leaden Cowls): Folklore and the Disciplines / Everyday Forms of Resistance / Folk as Cultural Commentators: Agency / Double Vision: Folklore Deployed / Agency and New Media / Public Folklore: Between “Looky-Loos” and the Clash of Civilizations / Social Justice and Heritage Protection in a Global Setting / Tricky Laws / Yoga and Rice / Conclusion
A Folk/Lore Moment / Reorienting Folklore / The Folk / The Lore / Book Plan
1. Beginnings: Folklore Undisciplined, 1760–1900
A Caution / The Theme of Loss / The First Fakelore or the Homer of Scotland?: James Macpherson’s Ossian / Folklore Studies and the Nation-State / Popular Antiquities versus Manners and Customs: “Survivals” and the Birth of Folklore / Singing, Dancing Throng: The Communal or “Marshmallow” Theory / Early Folklore Studies: Mrs. Grundy & Fluttering in the Dovecotes / Manners and Customs / Devolution versus Evolution / Conclusion
2. Modern or Postmodern: The Devil Is in the Details
Postcolonial : Postmodern :: Colonial : Modern? / Dis-eases / Dis-eases of Language: Origin Quests and Survivals / Purity and Danger / More on Budget Dis-ease / “Social” Dis-eases: Betwixt and Between / Conclusion
3. Aesthetic Discourse and Cultural Affect
Part One: Defining Lore / Part Two: Material Culture / Conclusion
4. The Folk Soul vs. the Primitive Mind
Folk and Folklorist / Fear of Going Native / Of Purity, Authenticity, and Levels of Folkness / At Home and Abroad: Travelers, Missionaries, Anthropologists, and Folklorists / Talking Back / Betwixt and Between: A Confusion of Categories / Writing Culture / “That’s Not What I Said” / Conclusion
5. Performance
“Breakthrough into Performance” / Performing Difference / Material Culture as Performance / Folklore and Cultural Capital / Orality and Literacy / Conclusion
6. Comparative Folklore
Motif and Tale-Type Indexes: Methods for Studying the “Development” of Folktales (Märchen) / More Dust on the Folklorists? / Structuralism / Comparing Verbal Art and Material Culture Structures / Conclusion
7. Challenges for the Future: Folklore Today and Tomorrow
Folklore as Cultural Commentary: The Affecting Presence / Disciplinary Tight Chemises (and Leaden Cowls): Folklore and the Disciplines / Everyday Forms of Resistance / Folk as Cultural Commentators: Agency / Double Vision: Folklore Deployed / Agency and New Media / Public Folklore: Between “Looky-Loos” and the Clash of Civilizations / Social Justice and Heritage Protection in a Global Setting / Tricky Laws / Yoga and Rice / Conclusion