Modern Folklore
Frank L. Baum published “Mother Goose in Prose” in 1897, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, and American Fairy Tales in 1901. In these stories, Mr. Baum cleverly disguised his views on life, politics, and religion. The Wizard of Oz, in particular, is considered to be an allegory of the politics and characters of the 1890s.
To learn more visit: Political interpretations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Is There a Santa Claus? was the title of an editorial appearing in the September 21, 1897, edition of The (New York) Sun. The editorial, which included the famous reply "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", has become an indelible part of popular Christmas folklore in the United States and Canada.
An Urban legend is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true. For example, Procter & Gamble, an American multinational consumer goods company, had a trademark featuring a man in the moon overlooking 13 stars, said to commemorate the original 13 colonies. The company received unwanted media publicity in the 1980s when rumors spread that the moon-and-stars logo was a satanic symbol. These interpretations have been denied by company officials, and no evidence linking the company to any occult organization has ever been presented. In 2011 the company successfully sued individual Amway distributors for reviving and propagating the false rumors. The moon-and-stars logo was discontinued in 1985 as a result of the controversy.
On September 17, 2004, Jonathan Safran Foer published a short story called, "The Sixth Borough" in The New York Times Op/Ed section. The story speaks of a mystical sixth borough that once existed off the coast of Manhattan. It has since floated down to Antarctica, where it sits today. According to the tale, central park once rested at the "heart" of the island, and was only airlifted to its current location for preservation purposes.
“The Eagle Float and Mr. Austin” by Alex Schattner, is a folktale revolving around the holiday of Thanksgiving. Mr. Austin, a high school art teacher, proves his worth by uniting the community around one common goal, creating the largest parade float their town has ever seen.
Read more about this topic: Folklore Of The United States
Famous quotes containing the words modern and/or folklore:
“There is something ridiculous and even quite indecent in an individual claiming to be happy. Still more a people or a nation making such a claim. The pursuit of happiness ... is without any question the most fatuous which could possibly be undertaken. This lamentable phrase “the pursuit of happiness” is responsible for a good part of the ills and miseries of the modern world.”
—Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–1990)
“Someday soon, we hope that all middle and high school will have required courses in child rearing for girls and boys to help prepare them for one of the most important and rewarding tasks of their adulthood: being a parent. Most of us become parents in our lifetime and it is not acceptable for young people to be steeped in ignorance or questionable folklore when they begin their critical journey as mothers and fathers.”
—James P. Comer (20th century)