Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Roger D. Abrahams. "Creativity, Individuality, and the Traditional Singer." Studies in the Literary Imagination, 3:5-34.

Warns against ethnocentricity in the study of the aesthetics of folk art. In an effort to recover the real meaning of "individual creativity within a tradition-oriented community" (7-8), he examines the performance attitudes and aesthetic philosophy of Almeda Riddle, a traditional ballad singer from White-Cleburn County, Arkansas. Compares her repertoire with that of Marybird MacAllister from Albemarle County, Virginia. Includes texts of 19 songs.
Area: US, FB