Past Masters
Motif-Index of Folk Literature. Electronic edition. book cover

Motif-Index of Folk Literature. Electronic edition.

ISBN: 978-1-57085-005-9
Language: English
MARC Records


Vassilissa in the Forest. Illustration from the Russian Folk Tale, "The Very Beautiful Vassilissa"
D717. Disenchantment by laying collected bones in a seven-fold cloth and spreading another above it. D1865.1. Beautification by decapitation and replacement of head. D1884. Rejuvenation by dismemberment. E14. Resuscitation by dismemberment. E80. Water of life. E101. Resuscitation by salve (oil). E607.1. Bones of dead collected and buried. Return in another form directly from grave. V63. Bones of dismembered person assembled and buried.

Motif-Index of Folk Literature. Volume 2: D-E, The Dead, E0 — E199, Resuscitation.

Thompson, Stith. Motif-index of folk-literature: a classification of narrative elements in folktales, ballads, myths, fables, mediaeval romances, exempla, fabliaux, jest-books, and local legends. Revised and enlarged edition. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1955-1958.

. . . the Motif-Index in this format is an excellent opportunity to explore a classic reference work in ways heretofore impossible.

—Journal of Academic Librarianship


Overall, a major improvement over the paper version, providing broader and faster access to this rich resource.

—Choice


At last, the Motif-Index without tears. This edition is a research tool that quickly provides sources where variants of tale motifs can be found. An excellent edition for all research libraries.

—Polly Grimshaw
Curator of the Folklore Collection
Indiana University Library
U.S.A.


This monumental work has now become . . . the indispensable tool of all folk narrative scholars.

—Southern Folklore Quarterly


Professor Stith Thompson is to be congratulated on the production of this monumental achievement.

—Folk-Lore


A work of this kind can never be quite complete, but in this work Stith Thompson has approached perfection.

—Volkskunde


An invaluable aid to students and scholars . . .

—Reference & Research Book News

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