Two stereotypes of the beggar in Polish folk tales

Abstract

In this paper I examine different ways of depicting beggars in Polish folk tales. I argue that the vast variation of images originated from two basic stereotypes of the beggar. The first one is related to the traditional religious beliefs, in which beggars were treated as representatives of the deceased ancestors. The second has a source in modern secular conception of social utility, in which wealth is interpreted as a sign of God’s blessing and poverty is seen as something suspicious and sinful.