Paul Bunyun
An American Folk Tale
The story of Paul
Bunyan is a tall tale about a boy that was born very tall and very big. Paul was so
tall and large that when he rolled over in his crib at night the ground would
shake. The people in town would think an earthquake was occurring. This made
the community angry with Paul’s parents. His father decided to put his crib in
the lake so he would not shake the ground and make the people in town angry. When
he was asleep in the lake he rolled over and caused waves to wash over the
town. His parents decided to move Paul into the woods. Paul helps his father cut
down trees. Paul is extremely good at cutting down trees because he has the strength
of several men. In the story, Paul finds a blue, baby ox in the snow. He names
the ox Babe. Babe grows extremely large like Paul. Paul uses Babe to help carry
the logs. Paul and Babe leave Maine and go West to look for work in other
forests. Paul had to dig out the Great Lake so that Babe could have drinking
water. They settled in a camp near the Onion River in Minnesota. Paul gathered together
a crew of lumberjacks to help him clear the forest. Babe, the blue ox, died in
South Dakota. Today the burial place is known as the black hills. There are
many different stories about what happened to Paul Bunyan.
Paul Bunyan is a tall tale that is meant to entertain the reader. Paul Bunyan has taken on super-human qualities with his size and strength. His axe is told to have created the Grand Canyon and he "rolled over so much in his sleep that he caused an earthquake." Tall tales are usually highly exaggerated legends. This is because when a story is retold many times, details tend to get more exaggerated each time. A motif in this story is the larger than life character. Paul Bunyan is super-sized and like no other man. He has accomplished things that no ordinary man can.
This story is a classic American folk tale. Of course a giant man with unbound strength and a booming voice created America's most famous landforms. As tall tales go, this is not my favorite. It is a fun read, but when reading, it seemed a little slow. I read many variations of the story, but was not as engaged as I expected to be. (Britani)
I have not seen or heard this tall tale in a very long time, so I am glad you refreshed my memory about it. I like how both of you chose something different, a tall tale. Although it doesn't have witches or magic, it does have a super-human character that does extraordinary things throughout the tale. I like how you gave examples of the qualities he portrayed throughout the book, and now I know a great example of a tall tale! -Lindsay
ReplyDeleteI like this tall tale because it is meant to explain real features such as the Grand Canyon, the formation of a Great Lake, and a burial place known as the Black Hills. I have heard this story before but I did not remember that it was an explanation for the features listed above.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Paul Bunyan is a great example of traditional literature. It would be great to use in the classroom. The form is a tall tale and that is evident through the super human qualities he possesses. I think children would be engaged because what child doesn't want to be big and strong? -Kaitlyn Morefield
ReplyDeleteI have not heard this story since I was a kid. As an adult, I see so many different things in this story. It has different elements of traditional literature in it. I love that this story tells the reader about how real land forms were made. The Grand Canyon, Great Lakes, and the Black Hills are examples of these land forms. I think students, boys mainly, would love the super human strength involved in this story. The way you described this story really made me want to go back and read it again.
ReplyDelete---Meghan Ward
I, too, have not read this story in a while. This blog was great to refresh my memory, but to call my attention to the different elements of traditional literature. Instead of reading about fairies and the "happily ever after stories" which girls love so much, it is good to read stories such as these which would appeal to the boys in your classroom. Good job! -Karli Thompson
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ReplyDeleteI don't remember the parts of this tall tale about Paul Bunyan being the creator of the Grand Canyon and the Great Lakes. I only remembered him being a large man and able to cut down massive trees. I know children would be mesmorized with his size and how he was able to form all of those landmarks and cut down trees. You definatley wouldn't have to worry about keeping their attention. I like the fact that this story is different than some of the many princess and fairytale stories.~Amanda Daughtry
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about this story in years! I don't think I have ever read it either. I am pretty sure I would remember the parts about the Great Lakes and Babe's final resting place forming the mountains called Black Hills! I can see what you mean about it being an exaggerated tale, with Paul and Babe getting bigger each time! This is a great story to read to the boys, who might get tired of hearing about all the Disney princesses!
ReplyDeleteMacy
Paul Bunyan was one of my favorite tales growing up. There was a very large statue of a man in my town, and I would say, "There is Paul Bunyan," every time we drove by it. I love the motifs of Paul's exaggerated abilities, strength, and size. It gives the reader a way to visualize how magnificent he must be to accomplish such things!--Elma
ReplyDeletePaul Bunyan is a great story with its larger than life character. With Paul Bunyan and Babe being so big and growing bigger each time is a great example of a exaggerated tale. It shows great forms of motifs in the story. You could use this story when teaching about the Grand Canyons or landforms just to get students attention and entertain with the story. -Dianne
ReplyDeleteThis story is a classic! It has a good moral and can be good to show students that being different isn't always bad. This is a good way to show the students what hyperbole is! Thank you for sharing! ~ Jennifer
ReplyDeleteI have not read this book in a long time but I think that it is a great story with a great lesson. It's important for students to understand that everyone is different and special in their own unique way. Being different is what makes us all beautiful. Who would want to live in a world where everyone was the same? Not me! That would be boring. Not sure that I would read this book to my students, but it is a great American classic.
ReplyDeleteI have never read this story but have always heard about it. A lot of traditional literature books that have been blogged about for our class were very girly and I like that you all chose something different. It could not only be used to teach about traditional literature but could also be informative to use when teaching about landforms. I feel like this would be a great book that would keep both girls and boys attention.
ReplyDelete-Fallyn
I really enjoyed Paul Bunyan! I believe students will love it too. You can use this story to add humor to the classroom when teaching about tall tales. Students like entertainment.
ReplyDelete-Katrice Gates
I've heard about this story, but never read about it. I think this folktale would be great for young children, especially boys to keep them engaged and relate to. I think this book would really be enjoyable for them to read and keep them attentive during the lesson!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job!
Mallory
I like how your story is different from other traditional literature because it is a talk tale. I agree with you that the motif is the larger than life character. This story could be used I the classroom to teach many concepts.
ReplyDeleteCara
DeleteThis is a very popular folktale. The students will love this book with its exaggeration, specially of the readers tone is funny and exaggerates the story as well. Great story to keep the children engaged.
ReplyDelete-Ashanti
I have not read this story since I was in a fourth grade classroom where they were actually talking about tall- tales. I do not remember Pual Bunyan creating the Grand Canyon etc.,I do remember him being able to cut down large trees with his impressive size. This is a great story to keep children engaged and also a fun way to teach tall- tales. Tracy
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those traditional literature stories that isn't read as much but I think this book would be great because it could really get the boys in the class excited about the story! There is a lot of about this story that i have forgotten about and I would love to go back and read it after reading this blog! Great job!
ReplyDeleteKelly
This is a great American folktale. This traditional literature book will definitely be entertaining for the males in the classroom. Its a great way to show the students that everyone is different and unique in their own way. Good job- Katie
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