Lessons over the Years

"What has come down to us in writing are fragments of a great oral tradition, reflections of what actually was customary" written by Norbert Elias and appearing in "The Civilizing Process" on page one.

Fables and folk tales have been passed down from generation to generation. Each has some sort of lesson to be learned from the stories that are told. Although they are now being recorded, this shows that for a very long time information has been passed down through word of mouth for years and years. The most common ways to pass lessons down is through stories, but also more information over time is sent down through oral uses. Back in the day the rumor of table manner at the royal table was passed down to anyone and everyone that may end up in the courts presence. This along would cause the court to change their eating ways because it then became too common knowledge. Instead of teaching something to all, it changed the patterns to make sure that everyone couldn't be like them. The stories rarely change, perhaps to fit the culture and society, however the lesson stay the same to keep things consistent.