A cumulative tale, also called a chain tale, is a story in which action or dialogue repeats and builds as the tale goes on, so that each turn adds another link before the story doubles back. These tales carry little plot of their own and lean on repetition and rhythm for their effect, often demanding real skill from a performer to keep pace with their tongue twisting patterns. The climax can arrive as a sudden jolt, as in the well known story of the Gingerbread Man. The form is often set to a cumulative song or nursery rhyme, frequently stacking up a series of animals or natural forces each stronger than the last, and its steady, predictable structure has even been used to teach young children to count.
Facts
Place of OriginAn early Jewish Midrash dated to the sixth century CE, in which Abraham argues before King Nimrod that water, clouds, wind and finally man are each more powerful than fire. 1 Notable ExampleThe Gingerbread Man, whose abrupt and sobering climax is a classic instance of the form's cumulative structure. 1 Defining TraitA tale in which action or dialogue repeats and builds up as the story progresses, with only the sparest of plots, relying on repetition and rhythm for its effect. 1 Sources
1. Cumulative Tale (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Lead section, opening sentence
In a cumulative tale, sometimes also called a chain tale, action or dialogue repeats and builds up in some way as the tale progresses.
Lead section, third sentence
The climax is sometimes abrupt and sobering as in "The Gingerbread Man".
History section, opening sentence
In an early Jewish Midrash, considered to date from the sixth century CE, Abraham is brought before King Nimrod, who commands him to worship fire.
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