The study of folklore provides invaluable clues to patterns of "world view," defined as "that outlook upon the universe that is characteristic of a people." German scholars have provided some of the best collections of folk tales, and one of the major 20th century collections is Kurt Ranke's Schleswig-Holsteinische Volksmarchen. Sparing's volume provides a succinct overview of contemporary folktale and worldview and a detailed analysis of how interpersonal relationships are reflected in the Schleswig-Holstein folktales. Parallels are drawn between tale content and real life circumstances, from which emerge themes about life, the universe, society, the individual and the self. Written for folklorists, scholars of German literature and sociologists. Co-published with the Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc.
