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Comment
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Helen
Registered User
(9/26/01 4:25:32 am)
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The influence of the French salon upon literary fairy tales
... in Russia and Great Britain is my other topic; my theory is that each nation was affected by the French tales, but those reactions were manifested quite differently due to the respective political situations. In Russia, due to censorship, the subversive quality of the salon tales was heightened, resulting in an early brand of utopianism that grew more extreme as the political situation did. In England, due to the greater social acceptability of political/social criticism, this aspect of the literary fairy tale was expressed, not through subterfuge, but through embellishment and exaggeration (I'm thinking of "The Magic Fishbone," and "The Reluctant Princess," for example). Working on these two topics has really made me realize where my interests lie; all my (adult) life, ever since classification by occupation became common, I'd thought of myself as an English major with folkloristic leanings. Now, I'm realizing that I'm more aptly described as a folklorist whose first language was English. It's an interesting mental wrench. Sorry for rambling; thanks in advance!
Helen
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janeyolen
Unregistered User
(9/26/01 8:42:39 am)
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Zipes
I am assuming you have been reading Jack Zipes who has done a lot of work on the French salon writers and readers.
Jane
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Helen
Registered User
(9/26/01 5:45:33 pm)
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Sources ...
Dear Jane:
Most certainly - I'm using his translations of the French tales (my French being considerably worse than his, I think), and relying upon various works for secondary sources. I'm also working with Nancy Canepa here at Dartmouth, which is quite exciting. I adored _From Court to Forest_. Right now, I'm trying to select some one tale which pops up in all three periods, to prove the influence of the French upon the Russian and the British ... I'm starting to think that I might try to prove the connection through changes in the female characters due to the template of the fairies/fairy godmothers (i.e., Baba Yaga acting as a helper and not only as an adversary); the problem lies with trying to find earlier varients in Russian, since Afanasyev is more or less held as the first major anthologist. It's less difficult in English ... any ideas, either on the female characters idea, or on some other story that you see as being particularly influential? By the way, thank you so much for your kind words on the other thread, and your feedback on this one - having the subjects of your research tell you that you're heading in an interesting direction is the most wonderful feeling. Thanks.
Respectfully,
Helen
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Heidi
Anne Heiner
ezOP
(9/26/01 7:15:29 pm)
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New book that might be helpful
I have been trying to get a review copy of a new book that may be helpful to you, Helen. It is titled "Twice upon a Time: Women Writers and the History of the Fairy Tale" by Elizabeth Wanning Harries. It has just been released, so I have no clear idea of what all is included in it. Once I learn more, I will let you know.
Harries, Elizabeth Wanning. Twice Upon a Time:
Women Writers and the History of the Fairy Tale. Princeton:
Princeton University, 2001.
Buy
the book in hardcover.
Heidi
Edited by: Heidi Anne Heiner at: 9/26/01 7:17:39 pm
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Helen
Registered User
(9/27/01 1:11:48 pm)
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A must-have ...
Dear Heidi:
It sounds absolutely fascinating ... I think that I had an opportunity to hear her speak once (I could be mistaken, but I believe that she attended the Literary Fairy Tales conference at Princeton last April), and if she's the person who I have in mind, she is brilliant. Waiting for a copy with bated breath,
Helen
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areana
Registered User
(11/7/01 8:35:02 pm)
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historical relavance of fairy tales
I am writing a paper arguing the value of incorporating fairy tales
into history lessons as an indicator of the social history of the
time period and culture that the tale derived from. Can anyone recommend
some reading material that sites a basis in history for the tales
that I could research? These postings are a great start it seems.
Thanks
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erzebet
Registered User
(11/7/01 9:48:53 pm)
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that new book
Thanks ever so much, Heidi, for the tip on that book. I have just ordered a copy from the link on your site and can't wait to read it. This is just the kind of thing I'm looking for.
Erz
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janeyolen
Unregistered User
(11/8/01 4:15:15 am)
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answer
Zipes, Zipes, Zipes.
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Terri
Registered User
(11/8/01 7:58:55 am)
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Re: answer
Helen, you are a lucky woman to be working with Nancy Canepa. Her work in fairy tale scholarship is is brilliant.
Areana, Jane is right -- Jack Zipes's books are highly recommended.
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areana
Registered User
(11/8/01 8:05:55 pm)
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Re: answer
Got the Zipes book today. You were right! It was just what I was looking for. My paper has taken on quite a different (but good) twist and I can't wait to hear my professor's remarks. Thanks!!!!
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