Bearing Dead Seals and Good Luck

Similarities Between Bears and Hidden People in Selected Icelandic Folk Legends

Authors

  • Alice Bower
  • Kristinn Schram

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17192/mjr.2022.24.8583

Keywords:

Folklore, Narrative, Folk belief, Animals

Abstract

This paper offers an analysis of the development, transmission and reception of selected Icelandic folk legends about bears which share features in common with legends of elves (Icel. álfar) and hidden people (Icel. huldufólk). We explore the ideas, attitudes and motifs underpinning representations of bears in this sub-set of legends in a historical and narrative context and offer a close analysis of six selected tales. We address how narrators develop on
pre-existing narrative conventions to portray the bear in a new light and touch upon the responses that these portrayals may evoke among a domestic and international audience.

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Published

2023-04-11

How to Cite

Bower, A., & Schram, K. (2023). Bearing Dead Seals and Good Luck: Similarities Between Bears and Hidden People in Selected Icelandic Folk Legends. Marburg Journal of Religion, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.17192/mjr.2022.24.8583

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Alice Bower, Kristinn Schram

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