Elements to a Fable

ENG 12B2014-2015

Warm-up

• On a sheet of scrap paper, please do the following:– Define what a fable is in your own words (or make

your best guess)– Record three examples of fables

Fables

• Fables are stories that are meant to teach a lesson, and have animals and/or inanimate objects acting as humans.– Parables, on the other hand, use humans to teach

the lesson. Stories found in religious texts are often times parables

• Many times, fables are targeted at children to teach an important lesson about life

Requirements of a Fable• The plot is simple and easy to comprehend• The main characters are NOT humans. Animals

are the most common.• Must teach a moral/lesson.• Setting is common and non-specific so that

the lesson learned can be applied across cultures

• The author uses strong personification.• A good fable leaves a clear message to be

learned.

Assignment• You and a partner will read the examples of fables

that I will pass out momentarily.• Your job is to read the fables and answer the

questions that follow in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper.

Purpose: Animal Farm is both an allegory and a fable. Your writing assignment for the unit will be to write your own fable. I want you to be exposed to multiple fables before writing your own so that you have background knowledge to apply when it comes time to write yours.