An analytical examination of the Mothman phenomenon in Point Pleasant, exploring how media framing, social contagion, and collective anxiety transformed a series of sightings into a modern urban legend.
Alan Dundes’ work offers a folkloristic analysis of the urban legend surrounding poisoned Halloween candy, revealing underlying cultural anxieties and patterns in its dissemination.
The book contextualizes the myth within broader cultural concerns about stranger danger and consumer product safety.
It’s a scholarly exploration of fear and storytelling, rather than a literal account of criminal acts.
This work details the rise of the urban legend regarding poisoned Halloween candy, analyzing its origins as folklore and its reflection of cultural anxieties.
It examines how media and storytelling contribute to moral panics.
The book is a case study in contemporary folklore and the psychology of fear.
The Chaser is a foundational text in the study of contemporary legends, analyzing the themes, transmission, and cultural significance of modern folklore. It provides a compelling look at how stories reflect and shape societal beliefs.
This work examines the emergence of folklore within digital spaces, demonstrating how traditional storytelling motifs adapt to internet culture. It provides a scholarly yet accessible analysis of online phenomena like creepypasta and viral memes.
This book explores the origins, variations, and social functions of modern urban legends circulating in 1980s North America. It highlights how these stories reflect cultural anxieties and belief systems. Brunvand established urban legend studies as a legitimate field within folklore.
Despite scientific rationalism, urban legends continue to flourish as a sophisticated form of contemporary folklore. This article explores the social and psychological mechanisms that facilitate their transmission, defining modern folklore and examining the cultural functions these narratives serve in a digital society.
Internet urban legends represent the vernacular mythology of the digital age, evolving from oral traditions to global viral phenomena. This article explores how digital folklore spreads through social media and niche communities, driven by psychological factors and cultural functions.
