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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference ▲ | Description |
|---|---|
| N856.1 | Forester as foster father. *Type 652; BP II 121ff., *122; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| N856.2 | Cowherd as foster father. Irish myth: Cross. |
| N857 | Enemy's servant as helper. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| N861 | Foundling helper. Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 96; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| N863 | Slave (swineherd) as helper of princess. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| N864 | Leper as helper. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| N884 | Robber as helper. West Africa: Nassau Fetischism in West Africa (London, 1904) No. 2. |
| N884.1 | Robber helps king. *Type 952; *BP III 450ff.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| N886 | Blind man carries lame man. They thus combine and are able to get along. *Type 519; *Wesselski Arlotto II 255 n. 1; Herbert III 192; Oesterley No. 71; Scala Celi 23b No. 151. — Irish: MacCulloch Celtic 68, *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Philippine: Fansler MAFLS XII 53; N. A. Indian (Navaho): Alexander N. Am. 174. |
| N886.1 | Hunchback leads blind man. India: Thompson-Balys. |
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