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Comment
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catja1
Registered User
(12/9/01 8:12:17 pm)
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Re: thanks
Helen, that sounds like an absolutely terrific project. I've really enjoyed your articles on the Endicott Studio site, and would snatch up a book on Donkeyskin. Good luck!
Heidi, what about a section on "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers"? There are several cross-cultural variations, and there's quite a bit of information floating around about blockhead heroes. Plus, the story is just hilarious!
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Helen
Registered User
(12/9/01 9:13:55 pm)
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Re: thanks
Dear Catja:
Thanks! Both for the feedback, and for the encouragement. This is
a slight digression from the topic of the thread - for which I apologize,
and, please, feel free to ignore me; it definitely didn't seem worth
starting a whole new thread. As you guys are a very discerning audience,
and (partially) familiar with the two essays that I'm thinking of
submitting as writing samples to various Ph.D. programs, could you
tell me which essay you think an admissions commitee might find
more compelling, the Donkeyskin essay or the one on Greek magic?
Now that finals are (finally) over, I'm going off my rocker filling
out grad. school apps. ... I love everything about grad. school
except for the process of getting in.
Helen
P.S. As for the other new tale ... perhaps the Seven Swans?
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catja1
Registered User
(12/9/01 11:22:30 pm)
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Re: thanks
Helen,
As a recent survivor of the PhD application process, I completely understand where you're coming from! Where are you applying, if you don't mind my asking? Re your application essay, my vote is for the one on "Donkeyskin"; it's an excellent history of the tale, and very illuminating and insightful, particularly on the modern interpretations. When I write my dissertation (on fairy tales and young adult literature), I'm definitely going to reference it! Also, have you read Francesca Lia Block's _The Hanged Man_? There are many fairy tales referenced in the text, but as the story is of a girl coping with the aftermath of her incestuous father's death, the "Donkeyskin" connection is most apparent.
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Helen
Registered User
(12/10/01 11:21:43 am)
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Re: thanks
Dear Catja:
No, I haven't read that one, but I'm going to *have* to look it up; generally speaking, her work is superb - loved _Beast_, and am working my way through _Dangerous Angels_ as we speak. Just read her "Bones" in Terri and Ellen's _The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror, Fourteenth Annual Collection_; very Carter-esque. Like a cross between "The Bloody Chamber" and "The Company of Wolves." At this point, I have five programs in mind; the University of Pennsylvania for Folklore, Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Washington for Comparative Literature. They all have their individual merits ... it all depends on who's willing to take me, and who's willing to *fund* me. Where did you apply last year? Thanks for the vote on Donkeyskin (and for all the nice things you said, *grin*); my advisors are, if anything, being *too* encouraging. Not only do they like the two I've mentioned, they're also suggesting one that I wrote on the commodification of the fairytale as a possibility. I love them for it, but my own indecision is killing me. Think the schools will mind receiving a ream of paper apiece? (... kidding ... mostly ...)
Best,
Helen
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catja1
Registered User
(12/10/01 11:42:04 am)
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Re: thanks
Good programs, all... Be warned, though, that U Penn has crappy funding. The rest of them, as far as I know, are quite good about TAships and so forth. What program are you applying to at U Minn.? Jack Zipes is in German and Comp Lit.; I applied to comp lit and didn't get in, because they only take 3 or 4 a year. Jack Zipes sent me a very nice e-mail, though, so that's some compensation! I applied to Cornell, UM, U Pittsburgh, and U Florida; I'm currently at UF. That was my #1 choice, as it was the only program that had courses of study in both folklore and children's lit; if you're interested in kids' stuff, we have John Cech, one of the biggest names in the field. Alison Lurie, alas, has retired from Cornell, otherwise that would be a great place. UW has a great program, and they also have at least 2 folklorists on staff there -- besides Haney (I love him, too!), there's Henning Sehmsdorf, a specialist in Scandinavian folk narrative.
As for *reams* of paper, I doubt they'd mind, especially given the quality of your work! Speaking of, I'd really like to read your paper on the commodification of the fairy tale; will it be published anwhere?
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Helen
Registered User
(12/10/01 11:59:42 am)
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Re: thanks
Dear Catja:
Good question about publication; that's still up in the air for now. We had length limitations on the assignment, and I really want to add some material on Disney and on modern attitudes towards fairytales in literature, in advertsing, etc., but once it's done, I'm thinking of submitting it to Terri and to Marvels & Tales ... gods know if it'll actually hit text, but I'd be happy to e-mail you a copy if you'd like once it's done. I am applying to Comp. Lit. at Minnesota in the hopes of working with Jack Zipes (keeping fingers crossed) but I'm aware that it's a long-shot; it sounds like an unbelievably intimate program, with so few admits; all the better for those accepted, but it leaves me gritting my teeth for the next few months. Sigh. And I'd *love* to work with Jack Haney at Washington; I e-mailed him about my research concerning Russian tales at the beginning of the year, and he sent back this wonderful, detailed response (as did Jack Zipes concerning French variants ... judging from this board, and my limited academic contacts, it seems as though people who study fairy tales really internalize all those messages about being helpful to strangers ...). I was fairly gleeful to see you mention his name on the "research library" thread; his work is wonderful; I can't wait for the next four volumes, can you? It seems like so many people are retiring these days ... Professor Luria's departure from Cornell is what crossed them off my list; likewise Professor Knopflemacher's from Princeton. Good thing that (judging from this board, anyway) there are so many qualified people continuing their studies anyway; hopefully it'll encourage universities to hire more folklorists and fairy tale scholars. UF, hmmm ... I think that I'm off to do a little research on the program.... <g.> One more application won't hurt me, right?
Best,
Helen
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Terri
Registered User
(12/11/01 5:04:49 am)
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Re: thanks
Helen: This is just a quick note (as I'm wrestling with flu, and getting an essay done for Kate), but I wanted to add my encouragement for a book based on Donkeyskin. Yes, yes, yes!
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Helen
Registered User
(12/11/01 5:19:45 am)
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Re: thanks
Dear Terri:
Feel better soon!
Helen
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