Tall Tale. A tall tale is a lighthearted or humorous story with many exaggerated elements. Many tall tales depict the adventures of North American folk heroes of the frontier and the Wild West, and offer explanations for how certain mountains, lakes, or other geographical features came to exist. As you read, note the lighthearted and humorous tone of this story.
Anecdote. An anecdote is a brief story, usually with a specific point or moral. “Paul Bunyan of the North Woods” is not one long story, but a collection of brief, unrelated anecdotes about Paul Bunyan’s life. As you read “Paul Bunyan of the North Woods,” think about why Sandburg might have chosen to use an anecdotal style of writing instead of writing one longer piece.
Hyperbole. A hyperbole is an exaggeration made for effect. In “Paul Bunyan of the North Woods,” there are exaggerations of size and of actions. As you read, look for examples of hyperbole.
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- Many American folk tales such as “Paul Bunyan of the North Woods” deal with people struggling against the natural elements. This was a daily experience of pioneers in the American West, among whom were lumberjacks who lived in isolated logging camps in the wilderness. The hero of this story is one of those lumberjacks—but a truly extraordinary one.
- Environmental Connection. Today Americans have become more conscious of the need to preserve old forests. Back when the stories of Paul Bunyan were first told, however, the forests seemed endless. Pioneers struggled to clear spaces for their homes and for farmland. The logging industry was booming as towns were being built.
- Some historians believe that Joe Fournier, a French-Canadian logger born around 1845, was the man upon whom the Paul Bunyan stories are based. The name “Paul Bunyan” may have been inspired by the name of a French-Canadian hero named Bon Jean (pronounced something like bone yaahn).
What heroes appeal to you? What qualities do they have? Why do you find these qualities especially appealing?
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