Understanding the Text

a. According to LaPena, what is the importance of the oral tradition? To

what extent do you agree with his opinions and why?
LaPena emphasizes that oral tradition plays a crucial role in maintaining
cultural values and ensuring the continuity of knowledge from generation to
generation. He views it as an art form that not only conveys information but
also connects people across time and creates a sense of responsibility in
younger generations. I agree with his views because oral traditions offer a
personal and authentic way to pass on knowledge, preserving the emotions and
context that written records may fail to capture.
 Keywords: Cultural values, continuity, responsibility, personal.
 Acronym: C-C-R-P
 Main Points: LaPena says oral tradition keeps culture alive by passing
values and creating responsibility in the next generation. I agree as it is
personal and emotional.

b. Who preserve and pass on the oral tradition?

Both elders and young people preserve and pass on the
oral tradition. Elders preserve the oral tradition then
pass on the tradition to young people. Young people
perceive the information of culture and preserve it for
their future generation. At first, the task of preserving
and passing on oral tradition is done by elders. Later on,
young people get this task. It keeps on moving from
generation to generation.
 Keywords: the key words for the answer:
GRFE CPY PE जिराफ कपि पे

 Elders
  Young people
 Preserve
 Pass on
 Receive
 Cultural information
 Future generation
 Generational continuity
c. What is the danger of not passing on information from generation to generation?
The danger of not passing on information from generation to generation is the potential loss of cultural identity
and heritage. If traditions and values are not preserved, future generations may lose touch with their roots,
leading to cultural amnesia (forgetfulness) where important aspects of tradition, history, language, and customs
fade away.
 Keywords: cultural identity, amnesia, loss
 Acronym: C-A- L काल
 Main Points: If not passed, cultural identity and heritage may disappear, leading to amnesia (forgetfulness)

d. What is the difference between oral tradition and literary tradition?

 Keywords: Spoken, written, adaptable, permanent.
 Acronym: S-W-A-P
 Main Points: Oral is dynamic and spoken, while literary is written and permanent.
Oral tradition relies on spoken word and interpersonal communication to transmit knowledge, whereas literary
tradition involves written records such as books or documents. Oral tradition allows for a more dynamic and
adaptable form of storytelling, whereas literary tradition provides permanence but can lack the personal
connection of oral teachings.
Difference between Oral Tradition and Literary Tradition
Oral Tradition
a. Adaptability: It allows corrections as the listeners already know the stories, and there is flexibility in
making adjustments.
b. Personal Connection: Information is often shared by insiders, who have a personal interest in preserving
the integrity of the knowledge.
c. Transmission: Knowledge is passed from person to person, preserving the values and culture of a
community through intimate, confidential communication.
d. Artistic Influence: It impacts how artists visualize stories, characters, and cultural symbols, often
reflecting the direct experience of the community.

Literary Tradition
a. Fixed Content: Once published, it is harder to correct errors, and the information becomes static, often
leading to the spread of incorrect material.
b. Authority of Authors: The author or researcher is often seen as an expert, even if the information is
misunderstood or fabricated.
 c. Impersonal Learning: It focuses on formal education and degrees, where learning can sometimes lack
genuine passion or connection to the community.
d. Impact on Art: Artists might struggle with remaining true to tradition when influenced by abstract concepts,
possibly distancing themselves from authentic cultural expression.

e. How does LaPena establish a relationship between art and the oral tradition?
LaPena establishes a relationship between art and oral tradition by explaining that oral stories inspire artistic
expression. For him, the images, characters, designs, and colors in art are often drawn from the stories shared
orally by elders. He questions whether artistic interpretations honor the original stories, recognizing that art
often extends and transforms traditional narratives.
 Keywords: Art, stories, inspiration, transformation.
 Acronym: A-S-I-T
 Main Points: Oral stories inspire artistic expression; LaPena sees art as evolving
but wonders if it distorts the original story.

Reference the Context

a. LaPena states that the oral tradition helps maintain the values of a culture. If you believe that the oral
tradition is important, how would you maintain it?
If I believe that oral tradition is important, I would maintain it by spending time with elders to learn and
document their stories. I would organize storytelling sessions in schools and communities to keep the tradition
alive. Additionally, I would encourage younger generations to value and practice oral storytelling by integrating
these narratives into educational curricula and modern media like podcasts or documentaries. Recording these
stories and archiving them for future generations is also essential.
 Keywords: Elders, storytelling, modern media.
 Acronym: E-S-M
 Main Points: Learn from elders, organize storytelling events, and use media to record and archive stories.
b. “Not everyone is capable of fulfilling the roles of the elders.” Explain this statement with reference to
the essay.
 Keywords: Niche, wisdom, difficult.
 Acronym: N-W-D
 Main Points: Not everyone can fill elders' roles as they possess unique wisdom that’s hard to replicate.
In the essay, LaPena states that although everyone eventually becomes an elder with age, not everyone is
capable of fulfilling the roles that come with being an elder. Elders occupy a unique “niche” in society, having
lived long enough to gather deep wisdom and responsibility. Some individuals develop exceptional knowledge
and skills that are difficult for others to replicate. When these elders pass away, it may take several people to
take on their cultural and spiritual roles, and even then, their legacy is irreplaceable.
c. What is the controlling idea or thesis of this essay?
 Keywords: Preservation, challenges, responsibility.
 Acronym: P-C-R
 Main Points: Oral tradition is vital for cultural preservation but faces modern challenges.
The controlling idea of LaPena’s essay is that oral tradition is vital for preserving cultural identity and values,
but it faces significant challenges in the modern world. He argues that the responsibilities of maintaining
tradition must be carefully passed from one generation to the next to keep cultural heritage alive.
d. How do topic sentences guide the reader through the essay? What would be lost without them?
Topic sentences serve as signposts in LaPena’s essay, introducing key ideas and helping the reader navigate
through complex themes. Without them, the reader might struggle to follow the flow of the argument, as the
essay covers a wide range of topics, from cultural preservation to the influence of oral tradition on art. Topic
sentences clarify the focus of each paragraph and help build a coherent structure.
e. What are the four major problems developed by LaPena with regard to maintaining the oral tradition?
How are they used to structure the essay?
 Keywords: Gap, technology, distortion, expression.
 Acronym: G-T-D-E
 Main Points: LaPena discusses the generational gap, modern tech, story distortion, and artistic
expression, which structure the essay.
The four major problems LaPena develops are:
1. The generational gap, where younger people fail to appreciate the wisdom of elders until it's too late.
2. The impact of modern technology and societal changes, which distance people from traditional ways of life.
3. The misinterpretation and distortion of oral traditions by modern researchers and writers.
4. The challenge of translating oral stories into modern forms of artistic expression while staying true to their
origins.
These issues structure the essay by framing each section around the challenges of maintaining oral tradition and
offering insight into how tradition evolves and adapts in modern contexts.
Reference Beyond the Text
a. Write a paragraph or two explaining your attitude toward the oral tradition of passing along
information.
Attitude toward Oral Tradition
 Keywords: Wisdom, personal, challenges.
 Acronym: W-P-C
 Main Points: Oral tradition is essential for wisdom and emotional connection but faces challenges in
modern times.
I view oral tradition as an invaluable means of preserving cultural identity and wisdom. Unlike written records,
oral storytelling fosters personal connections between generations, allowing stories to be passed down with
emotion, context, and nuances that might be lost in written form. It encourages active participation, where both
the storyteller and the listener engage in a shared experience. In a world where technology often replaces human
interaction, oral tradition provides a meaningful way to keep our cultural roots alive, making us aware of who
we are and where we come from.
However, I recognize the challenge of maintaining oral tradition in the face of modernity. With the rise of the
internet and digital archives, much of our knowledge is now stored in written form. Still, I believe oral tradition
should coexist with these new methods. Communities should invest in preserving oral traditions by recording
stories and teaching young people the importance of face-to-face transmission of knowledge.