What is the genre of the John Henry story? What led you to this conclusion?
The story of John Henry is considered a ballad because the story is told in a classic folk song. In those days the men that worked on the railroad used song as a form of entertainment. Through generations a myriad of versions have been sung about prisoners at Mississippi's Parchman Farm to what we know today as a present day folk hero.
I would use "by means of" in place of "in" (by means of a classic folk song), but otherwise, your answer is a good one.
The genre of the John Henry story is considered a ballad. This conclusion is reached because the story is told in a classic folk song form. In the past, the men who worked on the railroad would entertain themselves by singing songs, including ballads. The story of John Henry has been passed down through generations, with various versions being sung, ranging from prisoners at Mississippi's Parchman Farm to the present-day folk hero we know today. The fact that the story is sung in a folk song format and has been passed down through song is what leads to the conclusion that it is a ballad.
To determine the genre of the John Henry story, we can look at the characteristics and origins of the story. In this case, the story of John Henry is based on a ballad. A ballad is a narrative poem or song that tells a story, often with a simple and repetitive structure. Ballads are typically passed down through generations and have a strong oral tradition.
In the case of the John Henry story, it is often told through a classic folk song. Folk songs, like ballads, are songs that have been passed down orally, often reflecting the culture, traditions, and history of a particular group of people. They are usually sung, accompanied by simple musical instruments or no instruments at all.
Furthermore, the historical context of the John Henry story supports its classification as a ballad. The story emerged during a time when men working on the railroad used songs as a form of entertainment. These songs served as a way to pass the time, express their emotions, and tell stories. Thus, the John Henry story has been sung and transformed throughout generations, contributing to the definition of a ballad.
In conclusion, we can determine that the genre of the John Henry story is a ballad based on its narrative form, its origins as a folk song, and its association with the oral tradition and historical context of railroad workers using songs for entertainment.