Three areas of inquiry may be especially fruitful of excellent discussions. Studying the forms and functions of American folklore as analyzed by books such as Barre Toelken's The Dynamics of Folklore; Richard Dorson's Folklore and Folklife, and Jan Brunvand's The Study of American Folklore will provide information helpful to understanding the nature and function of folklore in Liar's Moon; examining the history of the European and Euramerican invasion of the Great Plains in, for example, Elliott West's The Contested Plains: Indians, Goldseekers, and the Rush to Colorado (1998) will provide historical context.

1. Analyze the function of the tall tale about Will's capturing Pegasus, the Pacing White Stallion. What are the societal and cultural values enacted in the story? How does its form and manner of telling function to advance Kimball's narrative purposes? Identify and analyze other forms of verbal folklore present in the novel. What thematic functions...