The Performance Theory of understanding an oral tradition brings in several aspects of decoding an oral performance. It brings about the concept of keys to performance and classifies each performance as a part of the meaning of the poem. Performance theory also takes a closer look at the non-literal meaning of the words spoken, as well as seeing the performance as an "event". Bauman is credited for founding Performance Theory. (Foley 2002) "Performance is part of the meaning. How to Read an Oral Poem