Honors Projects
Abstract
From nature spirits to secret doorways, an air of mystery and magic surrounds the mountains of Austria. All over the world, mountain ranges inspire rich folklore, each set of tales unique to its respective culture. The purpose of this Honors Project is to answer the question: how does mountain-inspired folklore mirror cultural values and fears? A comparative analysis between Austrian Alpine and American Appalachian folktales is conducted in order to isolate the variables that cause folklore to differ region-to-region. Through research consisting of primary-source folklore anthologies, secondary texts on mountain theory, and direct observation from a study abroad experience, this project concludes that mountains elicit a strong emotional response from humans, which is processed through allegory in order to rationalize concepts difficult for the human mind to understand. Through these allegories within folklore, we can identify a culture’s priorities reflective of their history, values, fears, and ideals.
Major
Art – BFA in Digital Arts
First Advisor
Ivett Guntersdorfer
First Advisor Department
World Languages and Cultures
Second Advisor
Simon Morgan-Russell
Second Advisor Department
English
Publication Date
Summer 7-27-2026
Repository Citation
Karki, Arya, "Mountains and Mythology: Folklore in the Alps" (2026). Honors Projects. 1153.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/honorsprojects/1153
Included in
Appalachian Studies Commons, European Languages and Societies Commons, Folklore Commons, German Literature Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Other German Language and Literature Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons