Blog Entry 8

The Child as a Hero

            In the various tales we read in class involving Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and others, the children are highlighted as the heroes. In these stories death was a high probability for these children, but they had to work as heroes in order to escape death. For example, in Hansel and Gretel, the brother sister duo had to outsmart their parents to escape death. In The Singing Bones, and Jack and the Beanstalk the children had to uniquely emerge as heroes. It was not as clear as some of the other tales but the children impacted the stories immensely.  

            In The Singing Bones a man and a woman had 25 children. “The man was good, the woman was bad (Tatar, 254).” The husband was afraid of his wife, and ate whatever she made for him. Soon, he noticed that some of his children were missing. The wife lied to him, and said they were staying at the grandmothers’ house. Come to find out, the wife had been killing the children, and feeding them to the husband. The children are the heroes because the dead children had a voice and told the father, “Our mother killed us, our father ate us. We are not in a coffin, we are not in a cemetery (Tatar, 255).” The father then reacted to this news by killing his carnivorous wife, burying the children’s bones, and became vegetarian.

            The children in The Singing Bones may not have been able to escape death due to the mother killing them, but they still emerge as the heroes of this story because they saved the father from the evil mother by communicating what had occurred. The dead children, not only saved the father, but also saved the rest of the children whom were still alive from being murdered by the mother. The dead children did not technically save themselves from death, but they are still heroes for saving the other children, and helping the father realize what he was doing.

            In Joseph Jacobs, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack is a child hero. Jack, and his mother lived together and were very poor. They were often hungry. Jack’s mother sent him to sell there cow in order to get money for necessity’s for survival. Jack ran into a mysterious man, and sold the cow for magic beans. When he arrived with the beans, his mother threw them out into the yard, and was very upset that Jack sold there only source of money for a trick. Come to find out, the beans sprouted into a large beanstalk. Jack climbed the beanstalk, and ran into an ogress, and an ogre. The ogress was more motherly toward Jack, but the ogre did not like Jack. Jack had to outsmart the ogre in order to steal multiple gold items from them including a golden egg, hen, and harp. Jack successfully gained the golden items, and brought them back to his mother. They cut down the beanstalk, and now had plenty of money, and Jack even married a “great princess (Tatar, 277).”

            Jack is the hero in this story because even though at first his mother thought he was being a stupid child, and they would starve due to his careless actions, he ended up helping the family become rich. Jack had to be brave in order to face the ogre, and still managed to overcome the challenges as a child, and successfully bring back wealth for his mother.

            Bettelheim discusses the meaning of these stories from a Freudian point of view. His viewpoint is that the stories give insight to “childhood anxieties, and deep disappointments (Bettelheim, 159.)” He also talks about the “consequences of trying to deal with life’s problems by means of regression and denial, which reduces ones ability to solve problems (Bettelheim, 160).” This speaks on both of the stories I analyzed closely. In The Singing Bones the children regressed to the mother killing them before it was too late, and many children already died. Also in Jack and the Beanstalk, he regressed to their problem of being poor for making a careless decision of trading the cow for magic beans. In both stories, the children still emerge as heroes in the end, and solve their problems in unique ways.

Sources: google images

Blog Entry 7

Kenyan Folk and Fairy tales 

            The class rhythmically chanted, “come story come” and Dr. Ochieng’ K K’Olewe began another magnificent Kenyan folk or fairy tale. Dr. Ochieng kept the class engaged, and wanting more, like the best story tellers tend to do. Not only did Dr. Ochieng recite interesting Kenyan folk and fairy tales, he also taught about the culture, and the importance of storytelling.

            In Kenya, folk and fairy tale stories are culturally intertwined. These stories will relate to religion, music, history, or even geography. Folk and fairy tales have become a part of people’s social ecology. In Kenya, and many other places people thrive off of storytelling. Weather one is dramatically conveying a story, or one is closely listening, these Kenyan folk and fairy tales are sure to be interesting, and teach a lesson.  

            African Stories always have meaningful lessons or a moral. Many African stories also include songs. Songs are included to engage in participation from the audience, create a dramatic effect, re-emphasize main points, and create episodes or parts to a story. Another common trend in African stories is the setting. The setting is majority of the time at night.

            One of the most unique and important aspects of storytelling is that it is done orally, it is not written down. One has the freedom to change details. Dr. Ochieng said, “You own the story, and invite others to participate.” The theme, or lesson of these stories still must be the outcome. This is different from the folk and fairy tales we read in class because these stories are written by the authors, and not up for debate, or imagination. Once a story is written it is those exact words, from the one author. African storytelling is free to manipulate and change in creative ways.

            Dr. Ochieng told incredible Kenyan stories about why things are the way they are, affirmation of identity, or even origin. His stories were witty, entertaining, and meaningful. My favorite story that Dr. Ochieng told was the one with the stranger looking for a place to stay while traveling to visit relatives. A song was intertwined in this story, and lesson in the end was to simply be kind to people, and strangers. Kenyan folk and fairy tales have proved to be an important aspect to that culture, and many alike. Hopefully this type of storytelling will continue forever.

Photo Source: Google Images 

Blog Entry 6

Rags to Riches 

            While watching both Disney’s, “Cinderella,” and the film, “Pretty Woman” one can clearly see a young woman experiencing a journey as some may describe as “rags to riches” or going from a really tough point to the top happiness point, with money involved. In both these films the women reached success in similar yet different ways involving money, magic, and a charming young man. The reality of this picture perfect ending is not very likely, but is entertaining and hopeful.

            In Disney’s “Cinderella,” Cinderella is orphaned to her cruel step mother, and accompanied by her evil step sisters. She is forced to do all house hold chores, and follow her step mother, and sisters every command. She is saddened when she is not allowed to go to the ball due to her step sisters ruining her beautiful gown that the house mice made for her. She is crying when her magical fairy godmother appears, and uses magic to help Cinderella go to the ball. The fairy godmother gives Cinderella a carriage, with white horses, a beautiful new gown, and glass slippers. Cinderella rushes to the ball, and the charming prince falls in love with her. They dance together until the clock strikes midnight, and Cinderella must quickly leave prior to the prince seeing her change back into her regular self. Yet, as Cinderella runs down the steps of the castle, her glass slipper falls off, and the prince sets out to find the girl whose foot will fit, and they will marry, and live happily ever after. Cinderella’s step sisters try and fit into the slipper, but there feet do not fit. Finally, Cinderella fits into the slipper, and also shows that she still has the second slipper to farther prove that she was the girl from the ball that the prince fell in love with. They marry, and live happily ever after.

            In Disney’s version Cinderella experiences the perfect “rags to riches scenario. She goes from losing her parents, living with an evil step mother and step sisters, and being forced to do terrible household work, and simply just being bullied, to finding love within the prince, who also comes with safety, money, and happiness. She goes from an extremely low point, to an extremely high point thanks to magic in the fairy godmother, who granted her the things she needed the night she met the prince. Also thanks to a charming prince, who chose Cinderella, and loves her. In reality, this is very unlikely to happen. Magic is not real in the case of fairy godmothers turning a pumpkin into a carriage with one flick of a wand. Also, women in hard situations from their childhood, like Cinderella will most likely never  have the opportunity to experience something like going to a ball. This story is just not realistic at all, but it does portray the perfect scenario of rags to riches through magic, and marriage.

            The movie, “Pretty Woman” is a modern update of the classic “Cinderella” story. Vivian, a prostitute, and a wealthy businessman, Edward fall in love with one another, creating an unlikely pair. Edward is on a business trip in L.A, he decides to pick up a hooker one night, in an attempt to get directions. Instantly Vivian’s personality vibes with Edwards, and the connection begins to form. Edward soon hires Vivian to stay with him for the weekend. They grow closer, discovering there are going to be many difficulties to make their relationship work, considering they come from two strangely similar, yet different worlds.

            Vivian also went through a rags to riches, more modern fairy tale. Vivian begins as a poor prostitute, who cannot pay her rent, and did not like her job. She even at one point in the film confesses to Edward that she cried the first time she was picked up by a man. Then she became numb to the entire experience. She obviously craved more, and has aspirations with her life. When Vivian met Edward, she saw what it felt like to live comfortably, and more happily. Edward not only bought her beautiful clothing, took her to events like fancy dinners, and horse races, and stood up for her when people were mean because of her past. But, Edward also loved her very deeply. Vivian and Edward struggled to understand and see how their love could work, but in the end realized how much they met to one another, and lived happily ever after, rescuing one another.  

            Vivian, like Cinderella went from a low point, to a high point. Or some may say, “rags to riches.” As nice, and romantic as this story is, again it is not realistic. It is more likely to happen then Disney’s “Cinderella” because there is not magic involved, and is based on real life situations. While a rich businessman could meet a prostitute, and they could fall in love in real life, the odds of this happening are unlikely. Those types of people live in very different world. People usually are more concerned with social status, and who they are seen with, then actually expanding to new people, no matter how different they may be from one another. 

            In conclusion, Cinderella, and Vivian both experienced the “rags to riches” fairy tale precisely. In Cinderella, magic, and marriage played a huge part in helping her reach the “riches,” and her happy ending. In “Pretty Woman,” a charming man, friends, money, and love helped Vivian reach the “riches,” and her happy ending.

Photo sources: google images 

Blog Entry 5

"Sonne" Music Clip Reflection

                The music clip “Sonne” by Rammstein compares there song to the fairy tale story, “Snow White.” I believe this music clip has many allegorical lessons, and ideas that are up for individual interpretation, and created so people will have to think. I believe this music clip is telling the story of what people, and friends/family go through with the struggles of addiction today.

            Snow White arrives at the dwarf’s house uninvited. I believe this represents how addictions are never planned, and can affect any one, at any time. The tone of the song is also very deep, scary, and aggressive; much like using drugs. In one moment in the music clip, Snow White takes food from a dwarf, and aggressively throws the food back toward the dwarf. I believe this represents a friend offering help to someone who is struggling with addiction, and being yelled at, or mistreated by this individual.

            As the music video continues, it shows Snow White spanking a dwarf repeatedly, I think this represents family and friends being punished by the actions of the addicted person. It is draining, and painful when dealing with addiction for friends and family as well. The next scene, shows a dwarf brushing Snow Whites hair. I believe this represents people trying to help someone who is struggling with addiction.

            Throughout the music video, the dwarfs are in the mine digging gold. Later in the music clip, Snow White is depicted snorting gold, like cocaine. I believe this represents how some people struggling with addiction will sometimes take from friends, and family to get drugs. So the dwarfs work, was used to fuel her addiction. Prior to Snow Whites death, the dwarfs are all hugging Snow White in one scene. Snow White’s facial expression is smiling, and happy representing how drugs may trick your mind into feeling good. The dwarfs are hugging Snow White and look very sad, and worried like friends, and family dealing with someone who is addicted to drugs would be.

            The dwarfs come home from the mines, and find Snow White dead in the bathtub, and there is a needle next to the tub. This represents the sad truth that many people experience of finding items used by people who are addicted in there house. I believe the counting throughout the music video represents the stages of addiction, and how quickly it can get worse. Lastly, the apple is depicted falling onto Snow Whites coffin, and waking her from death. I believe this represents hope, and is giving the message to not give up on your loved ones struggling with addiction no matter how painful it is.

            Throughout the entire music video, it is obviously a representation of the story “Snow White.” The similarities include, the dwarfs taking Snow White in, the symbol of the apple, and her dying in a glass coffin. The differences include, the images of Snow White doing drugs, and no parent figure, or step parent is mentioned.

            I personally do not like Snow White at all. I find the story line to be degrading towards women. The story, and film about Snow White is a demonstration of female stereotypes prior to the second wave of the feminist movement in the 1960's. Men were considered the pillar, and women were considered housewives. Snow white has no characteristics as a character, and is profoundly boring. Besides doing house work, Snow White waits for her Prince to save her. Even in the Disney film, Snow White sings a song titled, “Someday my Prince Will Come.” The Evil Queen is more of a feminist than Snow White. The Queen has power, does not live by the help of a man, and is self-confident. The story line, and film depict these traits as evil.

            Overall, Snow White is my least favorite set of stories we have discussed, and I really do not like the film because I believe it is sending the wrong messages to its audience. 

Sources: google images 

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