
Fables of the Ancients?
Folklore in the Qur'an
Alan Dundes(Author)
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published on 5. June 2003
Book
Hardback
104 pages
978-0-7425-2671-6 (ISBN)
Description
Given the widespread consensus that the Qur'an was in oral tradition before being committed to written form, it should come as no surprise to learn that the Qur'an still bears the traces of its original oral form. The field of knowledge most concerned with oral tradition is folkloristics, the study of folklore. Folklorist Alan Dundes has carefully and respectfully documented some of these unmistakable traces. These traces include numerous oral formulas repeated throughout the Qur'an as well as several traditional folktales. Just as Jesus effectively used parables to get His message across, so similar means are to be found in the Qur'an. The scholarly identification of formulas and folktales in the Qur'an represents an entirely new approach to this world-famous religious text. Not only does it provide insight into the basic composition of this sacred document, but for readers not previously familiar with the Qur'an, it pinpoints and makes accessible many of the principal themes contained therein.
Reviews / Votes
An acclaimed scholar-folklorist Dundes analyzes this ancient charter book [Qur'an] with precision and academic insight. Concise yet thorough, this work includes numerous references as well as an exceptional bibliography and index. Highly recommended. * Library Journal * Anyone who has ever had occasion to consult a concordance of the Qur'an will not have failed to notice the high degree to which phrases and sentences are repeated, often verbatim, throughout the holy text. Arguing that such repetitions are 'formulas,' and applying Milman Parry and Albert B. Lord's oral-formulaic theory to the Qur'an, Professor Alan Dundes has broken new ground with his folkloristic approach to that book. The issue will surely be debated for many years to come. -- James T. Monroe, University of California, BerkeleyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 224 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7425-2671-6 (9780742526716)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2004
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€38.99
Available for download

E-Book
09/2004
1st Edition
Bloomsbury eBooks US
€38.99
Available for download
Person
Alan Dundes is professor of anthropology and folklore at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leading authority in the study of folklore. He is the author or editor of more than thirty books including Two Tales of Crow and Sparrow: A Freudian Folkloristic Essay on Caste and Untouchability, Holy Writ as Oral Lit: The Bible as Folklore, and International Folkloristics.
Content
1 Preface 2 Acknowledgments 3 What is the Qur'an 4 Oral Formulaic Theory 5 Oral Formulas in the Qur'an 6 Folktales in the Qur'an 7 Conclusion 8 Bibliography