Comparative Literature 391PR - S-The Proverb

The course will consider, from a variety of perspectives, the folkloric genre that has been characterized as "the minimal poetic utterance." We shall examine such topics as the use of proverbs in various cultures, the connection between proverbs and other literary and folkloric genres, the poetic and linguistic
structure of proverbs, the linguistic status of proverbs and related genres (proverbial comparisons, curses and blessings, taunts, riddles, etc.), and the role of metaphor in language and folklore. Our material will include American, Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Yoruba, Maori and other proverbs. All readings will be
in English, although students with a reading knowledge of another language will be encouraged to explore the relevant literature in that language.