The Anthropology of Wisdom Literature

(Hardback)

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This unusual book examines definitions of the fable, apologue, parable, moral tale, etc. It then proposes the use of the term exemplum, used by medieval scribes, to define all types of wisdom narratives. It makes a cross-cultural structural analysis of the exemplum and identifies its tripartite structure composed of the promythium, the nucleus, and the epimythium. The book ends with an analysis of the reasons why grown men spent so much time writing and collecting these tales. It demonstrates that fables and related genres were not really meant for little children to learn moral lessons. They were used to teach complex religious and political ideologies, to safely ridicule tyrants and despots, to release tensions, and to give good or bad advice.

Author Bio

WANDA OSTROWSKA KAUFMANN is Visiting Assistant Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University and a Lecturer at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Born in Germany, she is of Polish descent and was raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and speaks six languages fluently. Her research involves applying anthropological and archaeological methodologies and theories to the study of literary texts, writers, and readers. Dr. Kaufmann received her PhD in Medieval Spanish Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently Visiting Assistant Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University and a Lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio.