The Handbook of Folklore

Paperback

Condition: Good

The Handbook of Folklore first published in 1914 is an authoritative guide on the collection and study of folklore written by the English folklorist Charlotte Sophia Burne. As a key figure in the folklore movement Burne was the first woman to serve as the president of the Folklore Society. This book offers a comprehensive overview of folklore traditions including myths legends fairy tales superstitions customs rituals and oral traditions. Burne emphasizes the importance of systematically recording folklore and provides guidelines for how collectors can document stories beliefs and customs from different regions and cultures. She also discusses the value of folklore in understanding cultural heritage and societal norms arguing that it offers insights into human psychology historical events and communal values. The Handbook of Folklore remains a significant resource for folklorists historians and anthropologists as it establishes foundational methods for studying and preserving cultural traditions.