Alphabetical Directory/Index to Thesaurus of Themes

including their Narrative Units and Aspects

 

            This directory indexes all the narrative Themes and their contents in order to guide the user to appropriate themes used in classifying the ballad plot elements.

 

            The numbers references the relatively arbitrary Theme numbers, which are however hierarchical: Theme 180 refers to the offer or request for work while Theme 280 refers the success or problems attending an existing occupational commitment.  The Roles and Relationships are "numbered" alphabetically (L for "Lovers", F for "Family," "V" for "Victims, and their oppressors and their helpers," etc.)

 

            While the ballads have been classified and indexed according to their themes and roles, it is sometimes useful to look for more particular details. 

 

            Many of these details have found expression in the Narrative Units, indicated here by decimal extensions of the Theme.  Theme 620, for instance, has to do with (naturally occurring) accidents and catastrophes.  620.1 refers to communal catastrophes and 620.2 refers to individual accidents — 620.1 is the flood while 620.2 is the occupational accident.  All these can be found under the Theme 620 (see the pull-down menus), but the more narrow instances can be accessed directly with an "Advanced Search" for the Narrative Unit, e.g., 620.2.  The two types of search can be combined.

 

            In similar fashion, "Aspects" are indicated by an "a" or "b": it matters absolutely whether a common expectation is failed (Theme 245.a) or fulfilled (245.b).  Ballads being ballads, the "a" aspect is usually negative (betrayal as 245.a) while "b" is usually positive (good hospitality as 245.b).  Although any Theme or Narrative Unit can combine with any Aspect, they do logically interact: Theme 245 has to do with i.a. hospitality: 245.3.  That hospitality can be denied (245.a) or fulfilled (245.b).  Upon occasion you will find references like "245a.3" which simply mean that both "245.a" and "245.3" are referenced, and your ballad can be found under either classification.

 

 

 

Return to the Directory, https://balladenkatalog.org/en/definitions/directory.html

 

For questions, comments and much desired feedback, please contact David Gray Engle.

The German Ballad Catalog project would not have been possible without the support of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, California State University, Fresno, and most especially the continued and deeply appreciated support of the Deutsches Volksliedarchiv (part of the Zentrum für Populäre Kultur und Musik) and of many friends and colleagues.

© 2025 David Gray Engle