Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.

The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc.

Written by Alice Bertha Gomme

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
FolkloreGames

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2)" by Alice Bertha Gomme is a scholarly collection of folk games written in the late 19th century. This work serves as an extensive compilation and analysis of traditional children's games from various regions across the British Isles, including lyrics, tunes, and methods of play along with their variants. The book provides insight into the cultural significance and anthropological context behind these games, portraying them as reflections of social customs and traditions. The opening portion presents detailed transcriber’s notes and informs readers about the layout and structure of both volumes. It then leads into a preface where the author discusses the work's purpose and the collaboration with other folklorists, particularly the late Rev. Dr. Gregor, who aided in the collection of game variants. The text mentions that the second volume completes an important anthology of British traditional games and highlights the importance of these games as cultural artifacts that embody ancient customs and beliefs, setting the stage for a deeper dive into the games themselves later in the text.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2): With Tunes, Singing-Rhymes, and Methods of Playing etc., written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 20 hours
  • advanced
  • Scholarly
  • Informative
  • Historical

Alice Bertha Gomme's "The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol 2 of 2)" is a monumental late 19th-century scholarly work dedicated to the exhaustive compilation and analysis of children's folk games across the British Isles. It meticulously documents game lyrics, tunes, methods of play, and their regional variants, serving as an invaluable cultural artifact. Beyond mere collection, Gomme delves into the anthropological and cultural significance of these games, interpreting them as direct reflections of ancient customs, beliefs, and social traditions. The volume, completing a two-part anthology, emphasizes the critical role of these seemingly simple pastimes in preserving historical insights and understanding the evolution of societal practices.

“These games, seemingly simple, are in truth a rich repository of ancient customs, beliefs, and even historical events, passed down through generations.”

Key themes

Cultural Preservation and Archiving
This is the overarching theme. Gomme's work is a direct response to the perceived threat of traditional games disappearing in the face of modernization. She meticulously collects, documents, and categorizes these games, understanding their value as irreplaceable cultural heritage. The entire project serves as an archive, ensuring that future generations can access and study these practices.
The Anthropology of Play
Gomme treats children's games not as mere entertainment but as significant anthropological data. She analyzes their structure, content, and performance to infer insights into historical social customs, rituals, and beliefs. This theme explores how play reflects and reinforces societal norms, gender roles, and even historical events, providing a unique lens into past cultures.
Historical Continuity and Evolution of Tradition
This theme explores how traditions, specifically games, evolve over time while retaining core elements that link them to their ancient origins. Gomme meticulously traces the lineage of games, noting how they adapt to new social contexts, languages, and beliefs, yet often preserve archaic features that provide clues to their deeper history. It highlights the dynamic nature of cultural transmission.

Worth discussing

How do traditional games reflect the social customs, beliefs, and historical events of their time?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!