14 Common Features of Oral Narratives and Oral Poems
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14 Common Features of Oral Narratives and Oral Poems
Narratives and oral poems (also known as songs) are some of the most common forms of Oral Literature. Though they are of many forms, oral narratives and oral poems have a number of common features. These include: 1. Timelessness The exact time when the narrative took place or when an oral poem was composed is not mentioned. This is because each has been handed down for hundreds of generations. A sense of time in narratives and songs is usually indicated by the presence of the opening and closing formulas. 2. Elements of fantasy Both oral narratives and songs have aspects of imagination. This involves reference to things beyond the experience of a normal human being; for instance, animals or inanimate objects talking and the p resence of ogres. 3. Moral lessons Most oral narratives and oral poems have teachings (virtues/morals) drawn from them. Moral lessons should be given positively. For instance, we should be honest and not We should not tell lies. 4. Direct Address / Direct Speech In some or…
