Depressive Life Scripts in American Folk Literature

Abstract

Folk literature of early America contains few characters who suggest a primary orientation to a depressive life script. This is attributed to the high valuation placed in American culture on achievement and winning, so that the literary characters who best illustrate the American spirit achieve great success despite great odds. Present-day folk literature, e.g., the comics, more frequently presents characters who act out of a depressive life script. Three characters from folk literature are described and analyzed in terms of life Scripts.