A legend is a traditional story or narrative that is passed down through generations. It often involves historical events or figures, but the events are typically embellished or exaggerated over time. Legends may be based on real-life people or events, but they are usually filled with supernatural elements, moral lessons, and fantastical details. These stories are often told to explain natural phenomena, cultural practices, or societal values, and they tend to carry symbolic meaning. Legends, while sometimes fictional, carry deep cultural significance and serve to teach important lessons or explain the unexplainable.
'A Legend of the Northland' is called a legend because it follows the pattern of traditional folktales or myths. It is a fictional narrative that explains the origins of a natural phenomenon—specifically, the story of a woman’s transformation into a bird as punishment for her greed. The poem is called a "legend" because it combines moral teachings with a fantastical story, embodying elements that are characteristic of legends. The transformation of the woman into a bird is a symbolic and supernatural event that reflects a broader cultural or moral lesson. The story is passed down in a way that makes it seem timeless, much like the legends of old that were shared across generations to teach lessons about morality, kindness, and generosity.
In conclusion, a legend is a traditional tale that mixes historical elements with fantastical, supernatural occurrences, and often serves to teach a moral lesson. 'A Legend of the Northland' is called a legend because it follows this same tradition, using a fictional and supernatural story to impart a lesson about greed and generosity.
(i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)