Transylvanian Superstitions
Emily Gerard's Transylvanian Superstitions is a collection of folk tales and superstitions from the Transylvanian region of Romania. The book is divided into two parts. The first part is a collection of folk tales, which are stories that have been passed down orally from generation to generation. These stories include tales of vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. The second part of the book is a collection of superstitions, which are beliefs that certain actions or events will bring good or bad luck. These superstitions include beliefs about the power of certain numbers, the importance of certain days, and the power of certain objects. The book also includes a section on the history of Transylvania and its people. This book is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the culture and folklore of Transylvania.
By Emily Gerard · First published 1885 · Genre: Folklore, Non-Fiction, History · 12,021 words
First lines
Transylvania might well be termed the land of superstition, for nowhere else does this curious crooked plant of delusion flourish as persistently and in such bewildering variety. It would almost seem as though the whole species of demons, pixies, witches, and hobgoblins, driven from the rest of Europe by the wand of science, had taken refuge within this mountain rampart, well aware that here they would find secure lurking-places, whence they might defy their persecutors yet awhile.
There are many reasons why these fabulous beings should retain an abnormally firm hold on the soil of these parts; and looking at the matter closely we find here no less than three separate sources of superstition.
What this Textopian page supports
Transylvanian Superstitions is listed on Textopian as an essay by Emily Gerard, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Emily Gerard
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Folklore, Non-Fiction, History, Cultural Studies
- Length: 12,021 words
- Structure: 1 section, 174 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Transylvanian Superstitions by Emily Gerard
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Transylvanian Superstitions?
- How does this essay by Emily Gerard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Folklore — The title of the book implies that it is about the superstitions of Transylvania, which is a form of folklore.
- Non-Fiction — The book is based on Emily Gerard's research into Transylvanian superstitions, making it a non-fiction work.
- History — The book provides an insight into the history of Transylvania and its superstitions.
- Cultural Studies — The book provides an in-depth look at the culture of Transylvania and its superstitions.
Tags
Superstition · also · church · day · days · death · devil · evil · feast · first · footnote · house