Interrelationships Between Narrative Genres

Narrative Genres

Abstract

Narrative genres include myths, epics, fairy tales, legends, folk tales, and fables. Although each genre is distinct, transitions and overlaps are common. Mythology, the earliest form, belongs to the sacred age of the gods. Broadly, narrative genres divide into sacred (myths, legends) and non-sacred (folk tales, jokes, etc.). Myths convey cosmic truths and divine events, while legends reflect sacred elements with varied structures. Epics, rooted in the heroic age, recount the origins and ideals of a people, often preserving pre-literate traditions. Fairy tales are flexible stories that absorb and transform features from other genres. Folk tales emerge from settled societies, offering more localized cultural narratives. Jokes, meanwhile, blend humor and wisdom, often independent but sometimes found in humorous fairy tales. When the original environment of a genre disappears, its essence survives by merging into other forms. Myths, for example, adapted into epics and fairy tales. Traces of Turkish creation myths can still be seen in early art, like cave or wall paintings. Even when fairy tales lose their religious elements, symbolic remnants of belief remain. While myths aim to convey belief, fairy tales often seek to instruct or entertain. Figures like Keloğlan exemplify the fairy tale’s everyman hero, while love narratives reflect mythical depth through symbolic dreams and musical expression. Legends act as condensed myths; epics borrow from both myths and folk tales. Ultimately, as times change, narrative forms shift to reflect evolving cultural needs, often blending sacred origins with secular storytelling.