Importance of Folk Tales in Russian History
Modern day knowledge of the early Russian history exists because of folk tales. In the developing Russian society between the years of 1100 A.D. and 1400 A.D., plagued by poverty, the Mongol invasion, and most importantly, illiteracy, keeping a written history of past events, obviously, was out of the question and oral tradition passed on the history from generation to generation. Although mythological and fantastical, folk tales repeatedly depict basic elements of Russian daily life and provide historically accurate details that give present-day historians insights into the Russian culture during its infancy. The tales convey the significance of key factors such as the lack of arable land in an agriculturally dependent society, the degree of poverty in the country, and the importance of autocratic rule. With virtually every opening similarly looking like, "In a certain village there was once a peasant..." (The Seven Simeons), "In a certain town there once lived a merchant and his wife..." (The Lad Who Knew the Language of the Birds), and
" (The Petrified Kingdom), the reader is immediately able to identify a few major characteristics. It says that a storm is brewing that will smash the mast and tear the sails. They vividly illustrate the lack of arable land and the bitter, beautiful winters from which poverty spurs in the land. Obedience of authority whether to a king, "he decided to take him to the king and ask him to take them into his service" (The Seven Simeons), or to parents, "these words cut the mother and the father to the quick, and they decided to get rid of their son" (The Lad Who Knew the Language of the Birds), appear in virtually every tale as something that one should adhere to, otherwise, as in the story "The Lad Who Knew the Language of the Birds," unfortunate things will occur. "Take her to the open field, into the biting frost!" (Father Frost), "The nightingale is warning us. The word "certain" echoes the troubles and uncertainties of the times and works to emphasize the importance of the oral tradition's role in retaining the nation's history. Not much is known about the early period of Russian history and folk tales, though not definite and mythological, relate essential information about the culture to future generations. Most importantly, folk tales relate the idea that autocracy is essential to life, for it brings security, order, and peace. Lastly, the folk tales show that success, honor, wealth, and happiness can only be attained if one has faith in self and most importantly in God. Understanding this concept is key to understanding the Russian culture. Folk tales have enabled the history of an illiterate, oppressed, and impoverished society to survive through the ages and be related to the people of today.
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