The tall tale in the United States: an extended example
The tall tale in the United States: an extended example

Summary/Abstract: The tall tale is a dynamic form that is adaptable to many storytelling situations, contexts, and audiences. Its elements or motifs are malleable and are capable of being combined in a variety of patterns. An extended example of a tall tale, recorded from Raymond Green of the state of Georgia in 1977, demonstrates the potential unity and thematic complexity of a narrative that on the surface appears to be a haphazard chain of short tales strung together strictly for entertainment value. The tale both reifies and undercuts many of the core beliefs and values of Americans, particularly those pertaining to the conquest of nature and the American belief in success.

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