Four Functions of Folklore

TLDR

The author argues that bridging anthropology and humanities on folklore requires focusing on shared concerns rather than shared subject matter, and that open, rational discussion can advance the field. The author proposes to expand on three common problems of special concern to anthropologists in the upcoming meeting with the American Anthropological Association. The three problems are: (i) the social context of folklore, (ii) its cultural context, and (iii) its functions.

Abstract

N a paper given at the El Paso meetings last year I expressed the opinion that the most effective way to bridge the gap between the anthropological and the humanist points of view towards folklore is through a common concern with common problems, rather than relying as in the past on a common interest in a common body of subject matter. I also attempted to explain the anthropological approach to folklore, and extended the invitation for someone to present in a similar manner the viewpoint of the humanities.' I do not propose tonight2 to reverse my role completely and take up my own challenge. I believe that this job can be done far more competently by a non-anthropologist, although I am still convinced that if this underlying disagreement can be brought out into the open and discussed moderately and rationally, in the same spirit in which I attempted to do it, it will be for the ultimate good of our Society. This year, when we are meeting with the American Anthropological Association, I propose rather to expand on three of these common problems which are of especial concern to anthropologists, but which could only be mentioned in passing last year. These are: (i) the social context of folklore, (2) the relations of folklore to culture, which might be phrased as the cultural context of folklore, and (3) the functions of folklore. The most appropriate transition between what I said last year and what I have to say tonight is a quotation from Hallowell: