Thursday, January 31, 2008
As we have been reading and discussing the various fairy tales, a thought has occurred to me that I have often associated with myths and legends. I believe that all myths, legends, and fairy tales began with some sort of truth. While the story of Cinderella is a work of fiction, it is possible that somewhere before recorded history, a young girl was raised from a more dreary life into the royal life by marrying a prince. I have often thought of these tales with respect to creature like the Loch Ness monster and even dragons. I don't believe that people just thought these mystical creatures up one day, but that something like them actually lived. Granted, the stories have been embellished from one telling to the next, but I think it is a viable possibility that some sort of Cinderella lived at some point in history. That would also explain why there are so many versions of the tale. If anyone has ever played the game called "gossip" as a small child, one would understand how a single statement can be confused after being told many times. The story would start out with a simple truth, and end up completely embellished to be more interesting to the listeners.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
ENGL 360 Post #4
I am officially shocked! On more than one occasion I have mentioned that these stories are more grotesque than I could have ever imagined. However, I cannot believe that some of the original Cinderella stories were based on her need to escape from a father who loves her in a sexual way. Even the rape in Little Red Riding Hood is slightly understandable because rape is a common (albeit awful) experience. However, the unnatural lust of a biological father is far less common. I have heard of many step fathers molesting their children, but not biological fathers. However, I must realize that those values are of American origin. Who is to say that other cultures do not see that problem more often? My heart goes out to Cinderella and any real children who have experienced this type of unnatural fathering.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
ENGL 360 post #3
During this post, I would like to answer the fairy tale discussion prompt for Friday, 1-25, that we did not actually get to on Friday.
The two groups in which the conflict occurs are children and evil women. The first woman in their life (the mother figure) convinces their father to take the children into the forest and leave them. However, Hansel overhears the conversation and thus plans for an escape out of the forest. While this is not a direct confrontation, Hansel undermines the wife's authority by thinking one step ahead of her. At first, it appears he has won the conflict when the children return safely to their home. However, when they are taken out again, it appears as if they have lost the battle. The next conflict is between the children and the evil witch woman who wants to eat them. This time, it appears as if the woman is going to win, but the children ultimately prevail. Finally, the last unfinished conflict between the children and their stepmother is decided when the children return home, and the woman dies. Ultimately, the children are the winners in each conflict.
It is significant that the children won because it shows that children are capable of thinking for themselves. Children are typically thought of as dumber than adults, but I believe children have a different way of looking at things which can often work to their advantage. As we become more educated, we lose a certain amount of creativity as various teachers "teach" us how to think (while that may not be their goal - it will inevitably happen). Therefore, the truly creative and intelligent child could be seen to be quite cunning when the time called. I think Hansel and Gretel is a great way to show that children may sometimes out-think the adults. Also, it shows that the apparent underdogs can fight and become victorious. This was a good message for the vast majority of underprivileged children who would have been hearing the story (since these stories were originally intended for the children of the lower class). It taught them that they could come out on top.
The two groups in which the conflict occurs are children and evil women. The first woman in their life (the mother figure) convinces their father to take the children into the forest and leave them. However, Hansel overhears the conversation and thus plans for an escape out of the forest. While this is not a direct confrontation, Hansel undermines the wife's authority by thinking one step ahead of her. At first, it appears he has won the conflict when the children return safely to their home. However, when they are taken out again, it appears as if they have lost the battle. The next conflict is between the children and the evil witch woman who wants to eat them. This time, it appears as if the woman is going to win, but the children ultimately prevail. Finally, the last unfinished conflict between the children and their stepmother is decided when the children return home, and the woman dies. Ultimately, the children are the winners in each conflict.
It is significant that the children won because it shows that children are capable of thinking for themselves. Children are typically thought of as dumber than adults, but I believe children have a different way of looking at things which can often work to their advantage. As we become more educated, we lose a certain amount of creativity as various teachers "teach" us how to think (while that may not be their goal - it will inevitably happen). Therefore, the truly creative and intelligent child could be seen to be quite cunning when the time called. I think Hansel and Gretel is a great way to show that children may sometimes out-think the adults. Also, it shows that the apparent underdogs can fight and become victorious. This was a good message for the vast majority of underprivileged children who would have been hearing the story (since these stories were originally intended for the children of the lower class). It taught them that they could come out on top.
Friday, January 25, 2008
As I have been reading these fairy tales, I have begun to think back on my impressions of them as a young child. We have seen that stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel have been used to teach morals to children and entertain a more mature audience. After reading and discussing a few of the tales, I can understand why feminists have problems with the characters of Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. In the Grimm tales (the ones I heard as a child), the girls are very naive and almost meet their ends through their own faults. However, as a child, this was not at all the types of messages I got from the stories. I knew they were fantasy, and not based in reality. They were nice stories used for my entertainment purposes, and I doubt any of the morals the Grimm brothers tried teaching ever actually took affect.
A similar realization occurred a few weeks ago as I went back and watched a popular cartoon from my childhood. When I was younger, I often watched the Nickelodeon cartoon called "The World of David the Gnome." I remember watching the show because of the talking animals and the break from reality the show provided. However, as I watched the show as an adult, I realize that it was constantly trying to teach the children lessons of the opinions of the writers. For example, in the very beginning of the first episode David the Gnome says, "What's the idea of coming into our peaceful forests and blasting away with your noisy guns at every animal you see?" If I had thought more carefully about this, I would have become very upset because my father was an avid hunter. He is not a wasteful hunter (we eat everything he kills), but I would have been devastated to know that I was disappointing a character I loved. Also, the first time David is shown, he is found naked in the bathtub. As a child I thought nothing of this unusual scene, but I now question the appropriateness of this introduction into the world of the gnomes.
In case anyone is interested, here is the very first episode of "The World of David the Gnome."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5oI2mkgDRw
While I am shocked today to learn about the history of the fairy tales, I am not a person to deny my children the same entertainment that I gained from these same tales. I believe more harm would be done by denying my children the stories that all other children will know as they begin school.
That is all for today, will write again soon.
A similar realization occurred a few weeks ago as I went back and watched a popular cartoon from my childhood. When I was younger, I often watched the Nickelodeon cartoon called "The World of David the Gnome." I remember watching the show because of the talking animals and the break from reality the show provided. However, as I watched the show as an adult, I realize that it was constantly trying to teach the children lessons of the opinions of the writers. For example, in the very beginning of the first episode David the Gnome says, "What's the idea of coming into our peaceful forests and blasting away with your noisy guns at every animal you see?" If I had thought more carefully about this, I would have become very upset because my father was an avid hunter. He is not a wasteful hunter (we eat everything he kills), but I would have been devastated to know that I was disappointing a character I loved. Also, the first time David is shown, he is found naked in the bathtub. As a child I thought nothing of this unusual scene, but I now question the appropriateness of this introduction into the world of the gnomes.
In case anyone is interested, here is the very first episode of "The World of David the Gnome."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5oI2mkgDRw
While I am shocked today to learn about the history of the fairy tales, I am not a person to deny my children the same entertainment that I gained from these same tales. I believe more harm would be done by denying my children the stories that all other children will know as they begin school.
That is all for today, will write again soon.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Drew's first entry for ENGL 360
So I am new at this whole blogging thing - but we will see how it goes. Also, I just realized that it is 1:30am - which means it is technically Friday. However, I am going to have to count this as Thursday because I am going to need to do another entry tomorrow.
I am thoroughly shocked by the grotesque nature of many of the fairy tales that we have read thus far. I realize the stories were not originally written for children, but it amazes me that people found cannibalism and rape entertaining. In class, we were discussing the theme of rape in Little Red Riding Hood, and I have to wonder if it were not a more common occurrence in that day and age. If a woman was raped, there was a high likelihood that she would not have spoken of the incident. In those days and times, punishments really did not exist to punish those men who raped women, and the women of that time would not have fought back against a man as strongly as the women of today. I wonder if it was almost acceptable in some cultures for men to exert their power over women and thus making rape a more common occurrence.
However, I do appreciate that even though the earlier stories are more gruesome and scary, LRRH still overcomes the wolf. So it is almost like she takes revenge for what has been done to her.
I guess that will be enough for now. I will definitely be blogging again tomorrow to discuss more.
I am thoroughly shocked by the grotesque nature of many of the fairy tales that we have read thus far. I realize the stories were not originally written for children, but it amazes me that people found cannibalism and rape entertaining. In class, we were discussing the theme of rape in Little Red Riding Hood, and I have to wonder if it were not a more common occurrence in that day and age. If a woman was raped, there was a high likelihood that she would not have spoken of the incident. In those days and times, punishments really did not exist to punish those men who raped women, and the women of that time would not have fought back against a man as strongly as the women of today. I wonder if it was almost acceptable in some cultures for men to exert their power over women and thus making rape a more common occurrence.
However, I do appreciate that even though the earlier stories are more gruesome and scary, LRRH still overcomes the wolf. So it is almost like she takes revenge for what has been done to her.
I guess that will be enough for now. I will definitely be blogging again tomorrow to discuss more.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Howdy,
This is my first experience in the blogging world, and I may have to get used to this. This site was originally created for a Children's Literature course I am taking.
-Drew
Outside Reading List:
Book 1: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date: Sunday, February 10
Book 2: Goodnight Moon
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, February 17
Book 3: A Great Day For Up
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, February 24
Book 4: Wayside School is Falling Down
Author: Louis Sachar
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 2
Book 5: The Bears' New Baby
Author: Joan Elizabeth Goodman
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, March 9
Book 6: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 16
Book 7: Into the Land of the Unicorns
Author: Bruce Coville
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 23
Book 8: Through the Looking Glass
Author: Lewis Carroll
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 30
Book 9: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, April 6
Book 10: Old Yeller
Author: Fred Gipson
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, April 13
This is my first experience in the blogging world, and I may have to get used to this. This site was originally created for a Children's Literature course I am taking.
-Drew
Outside Reading List:
Book 1: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date: Sunday, February 10
Book 2: Goodnight Moon
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, February 17
Book 3: A Great Day For Up
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, February 24
Book 4: Wayside School is Falling Down
Author: Louis Sachar
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 2
Book 5: The Bears' New Baby
Author: Joan Elizabeth Goodman
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, March 9
Book 6: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 16
Book 7: Into the Land of the Unicorns
Author: Bruce Coville
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 23
Book 8: Through the Looking Glass
Author: Lewis Carroll
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, March 30
Book 9: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
Author: Bill Martin, Jr.
Picture Book? Yes
Posting Date: Sunday, April 6
Book 10: Old Yeller
Author: Fred Gipson
Picture Book? No
Posting Date: Sunday, April 13
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