ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -A tall tale is a story that seems inexplicable, and hard to believe. Tall tales are told for a variety of reasons-sometimes, they might be posing as the truth, and be an exaggerated version of reality, whilst other times they might just be for the sake of entertainment.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a tall tale as “a story that is very difficult to believe” or “a greatly exaggerated story.” The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature Says: “The tall tale is a comedic form closely connected to the American frontier.

Detailed explanation-3: -Some tall tales are are completely make-believe while others are exaggerations of real people and events. For example, some historians say that there was a real John Henry, the African American “steel-driving man” who helped build the railroads after the Civil War.

Detailed explanation-4: -Exaggerated versions of reality-these tall tales are commonly told about real people, with lots of fictional details added in to help make reality more exciting and strange.

Detailed explanation-5: -When I went fishing, I caught a fish as big as my arm! Sorry I’m late, traffic was backed up all the way to my driveway. My girlfriend’s a supermodel, but you don’t know her; she goes to a different school.