Blog Entry 4

         Compare & Contrast 

            In both “The Frog Prince, and Iron Heinrich,” by Brothers Grimm, and “Beauty and the Beast,” by Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont the “beast” of sorts transforms into a prince. In both stories the girl also ends up with a handsome prince but the transformation of these “beasts” and the stories alone differ a lot.

            The “beast” in “The Frog Prince” is not a beast at all, but a frog, whereas in “Beauty and the Beast” he is a scary, hairy creature that is called a beast. Also, in “Beauty and the Beast” the girl, “Beauty” is kind, and nice to everyone including the Beast. In “The Frog Prince” the young girl wants nothing to do with the frog, and is a liar. She lied to the frog about keeping her promise he went in the well and got her golden ball.

            Lastly, in the end of “The Frog Prince” the girl throws the slimy frog against a wall, and he transforms into a human being. Now the frog is a handsome prince. In “Beauty and the Beast,” Beauty agrees to marry the Beast because he is kind. Once she agrees to marry the Beast he transforms into a human being as well. A handsome prince emerges, and they live happily ever after.

          

  I like the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story the best because I grew up hearing, reading, and even watching an adaption of this story. I love romance, and I really enjoy the lesson that you have to sometimes look past appearances and what’s on the inside to find true love. Also that being kind goes a long way. I do not really like how in “The Frog Prince” the girl lies, and is violent. I also really do not like how the frog creates sexual tension by repeatedly asking to be in bed with the young girl. I personally enjoy “Beauty and the Beast” more than “The Frog Prince.”

Source: google images 

Blog Entry 3

Guy & Rodd Little Red Riding Hood Cartoon  

            In the cartoon by Guy & Rodd, he imagines Little Red Riding Hood as a smart young girl who tells the disguised wolf, “My what big teeth you have! Also you’re gray and furry and clearly a wolf…I’m not an imbecile.” Guy & Rodd drew the Wolf in a pitiful disguise to be Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother, and draws Little Red Riding Hood with a raised eyebrow, and a curious look on her face that leads one to believe that she is a smart, brave young female.

            I really enjoy, and like this cartoon that depicts the classic fairy tale in a new way. The story of Little Red Riding Hood depicts a disobedient child, who is gullible, easily tricked, and some may say stupid, and her actions either result in death or close to death every time. This fairy tale depicts young girls as gullible, childish, and stupid. This is not okay. Young girls need a story that helps them to become strong, confident, smart, brave young women. This cartoon helps girls know that it is okay to question the obvious, and stand up for yourself in scary situations.

            I believe this cartoon is political, and sparks a conversation for how feminists view this fairy tale. It asks the question is this fairy tale ridiculing women, or empowering them. I think it is very important and impactful for little girls to be told stories that empower them, and make them believe they are strong, and capable of anything. Sadly, some versions of the Little Red Riding Hood tale may lead some young girls to feel gullible, manipulated, and scared. This cartoon challenges those ideas, and I am all for it.

Source: www.google.com/

Blog Entry 2

What is a folk tale?

            A folk tale is a story passed on, and told by people that is a simple story which contains characters, motifs, structure, plot, action, and a reoccurring symbol. Folk tales are usually passed down to generations orally. It could be in a performance space, or just by telling the story with ones words. This leaves room for people to edit the story in any way they wish. No one person owns any folk tale, the public owns this story as a whole and can retell it in any way possible.

            According to Vladimir Propp, a famous folklorist who analyzed the plot components of different folk tales to identify the simplest elements that create the story, a folktale has thirty one distinct functions. These functions include, absent, interdiction, violation, reconnaissance, delivery, trickery, complicity, villains, meditation, beginning counteraction, departure, function of donor, hero, provision, guidance, struggle, marking, victory, liquidation, return, chase, rescue, arrival, claims, difficult task, solution, recognition, exposure, transfiguration, punishment, and finally wedding. All of these components work together to create many folk tales today.

            A folk tale is unique from a fairy tale, and is very important to many cultures all over the world. In simplest terms, a folk tale is a story passed down generationally, or in pop culture by word of mouth. Many folk tales resonate with people for their entire lives because of the lessons, and characteristics that make up these beautiful stories. Some of the most famous folk tales are, The Pied Piper, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Frog King, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, just to name a few. There are endless amounts of folk tales being told every day, and endless amounts of versions of folk tales in the world. This is a culturally important way of education for children that stays with them throughout adulthood. 

                                                                            Photos: google images