Answer: The elements of a folktale in the excerpt include:
The story is being narrated in third person.
The story is set in the past (at a time when people kept slaves).
The scene is simply described. That is scenes are not described in explicit detail.
If John is the hero of this story, then another element of folklore involved would be - The hero is usually courageous. We can assume this because there were dire consequences for slaves eavesdropping or generally annoying their masters such as beatings, starvation, even torture. For John to take the risk shows bravery.
Explanation:
"Folk" is an old english word for "people". And tale means a fictitious story or true story narrated with lots of imaginative descriptions. Folktale are basically imaginative stories told by people to entertain, convey a moral lesson, pass down traditions etcetera. Most children's stories are folktales.
Folktale elements are the characteristics that make up a typical folktale.
Some of these elements include;
• The hero/heroine is usually good and the antagonist is usually evil.
• The hero and heroine are usually young.
• The heroine is usually fair, kind, charitable, and caring.
• The hero is usually honorable, courageous, unselfish, and caring.
• Place is described easily and briefly that fits the typical geography of the culture.
• Time is usually in the past (usually long-ago) imbedded within history.
Time is fantasy time (Once upon a time sets the stage and They lived happily ever after closes the tale.) any time or any place, timeless or placeless, or long long ago.
The story is usually verry simple to follow or read.
Conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil.
The story is usually narrated in third person.
