Help: Folklore Motifs Online

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: GUEST,Mike Ballantyne
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 03:58 PM

I don't know if this query is in any way still current but the "Aarne-Thompson motif index" is not a motif index but a Tale Type index and the AT Type Index has been superseded by the Hans-Jörg Uther's 2004: "The Types of International Folktales", three volumes, published by Folklore Fellows Communications -FFC 284-286. Thompson's Motif Index is something else again. If you need more information you may contact me electronically at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 May 00 - 07:43 PM

I doubt if it makes much sense to ask what is the country of origin of a story, because stories move around the world almost as fast as comoputer viruses. You can always find an earlier version. Even when they are true stories that happen in a real place, there's going to be an earlier version where essentially the same thing happened somne other time and place.

I know I've heard that one - I have a feeling it was in a Yiddish version. But I'm pretty sure you'd find it in any country where they had stills. And if it wasn't a still, it'd probably be a hammer or a ladder or a knife. Maybe even a gun. Anything you could use to commit a crime.

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 May 00 - 07:30 PM

...ahh...that makes sense...a LIBRARIAN!...luv 'em.

Seriously, I've found in general that to get into most of the online reference databases, you have to pay for a subscription. There have been exceptions, but the door usually closes in about 6 months or so. If you spend a lot of time snooping around the 'net, there are often trial programs that let you get at the good stuff.

Several years ago you couldn't get into the Patent Office Database for patents. But IBM put every patent since 1971 on the 'net. Also, medical journals are hard to get into, but I found a med library that had a trial program for doing just that. I just heard this weekend that some medical libraries can be accessed with a password. Surely there is a special password for librarians. *BG*

Mary

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 May 00 - 07:00 PM

Bless your heart, Mary! The fact is, I'm a librarian, and this thread is to answer a patron's question. A-T is a reference work, but a bit specialized fro most libraries. Thanks, though.

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 May 00 - 06:33 PM

Hollowfox, I'm not familiar with the Aarne-Thompson motif index, but I assume it's a reference book. You can get lots of books through the Interlibrary loan program. (Your local library can get them.) The problem is that it doesn't apply to reference books...However, sometimes you can get a cooperative librarian or maybe just sneak one through! My librarian says I'm a good library patron, because good library patrons usually have overdue books!

Mary

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 May 00 - 04:50 PM

That they did, Malcolm; they had everything except what I was looking for. Great sites, though. Thanks anyway.

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 May 00 - 03:50 PM

Unfortunately I can't help much, but, on the offchance that you haven't already come across them, there are a lot of links at these two sites:  Myths and Legends  and  Folklore, Myth and Legend  which, even if not directly helpful, should keep you in reading for a long time...

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 23 May 00 - 02:29 PM

Let me ask around the family, we've got a Hungarian Mom and a Russian grandmother (different sides)... I'll get back to you after the holiday unless someone gets there first...

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 00 - 02:23 PM

it sounds vaguely familiar, but nope, can't pin it down....

Subject: RE: Help: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Bert
Date: 23 May 00 - 02:17 PM

Sounds sort of like some of Chekov's stuff.

Subject: Folklore Motifs Online
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 May 00 - 02:12 PM

I'm trying to track down any printed versions, country of origin, etc. for a story. I've tried Storyteller's sourcebook (MacDonald), and all the editions of the Fairy Tale Index, but no luck. I tried finding the Aarne-Thompson motif index online (my library doesn't have it), and no luck there, either. Anybody know of anything online that will help me in the future? And, is anybody familiar with this story? A man is condemned to die. He is convicted of producing illegal alcohol because he has the ruined remains of an illegal still on his property. On the advice of the royal jester, a friend saves his life by running naked through the crowd with the jester chasing him, shouting "Adulterer!" When asked about this accusation, the jester replies that it is not necessary to catch him in the act, as possessing the equipment should be enough to convict him. Of course, the king laughs and pardons the accused. (For what it's worth, the questioner also asked about another story, but I found it. It was Russian. I checked Russian Fairy Tales (Afanas'ev), but came up dry. Thanks in advance.