Suggests that major works of orally grounded literature, like "Beowulf," are the result of collective engagement with the question of what wisdom is. Claims "Beowulf" is the result of a set of cultural transformations and a means by which such transformations took place. Suggests it speaks to traditional verse's role in the consolidation of new…

The cases of literary folklorists are illustrated to indicate that the subjects like oral tradition are not self-sustained in modern universities. In order to resolve exclusionary practices in knowledge production and audience selection, a suggested solution is to reach multiple audiences.