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Author
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Comment
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Robin
Unregistered User
(9/6/02 11:48:57 am)
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French Pagodas
I read a short story that mentioned 'french pagodas' not to be confused with the Oriental pagodas which are buildings.
The French pagodas were beings that were assembled from porcelain. They were small but very brave and capable of healing. Has anyone else heard of this legend?
If so, would you please e-mail me at robin@mazursark.com
I thought it was wonderful little legend and would like to read more.
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doroberts
Registered User
(9/6/02 12:48:50 pm)
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French Pagodes
There is a French Fairy Tale by Madame d'Aulnoy ( I? I think) called " Laideronette", in which a princess cursed with ugliness at her birth ( shades of " Sleeping Beauty") is waited on by a bunch of " Pagodes". The story is often called " the Green Snake" in translations. These "pagodes" are, as you say, little porcelain people. It does not say, but one DOES get the impression they are little chinese-looking people. The great vogue for chinoiserie at the time of this story's creation would help explain the odd name.
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swanchick
Registered User
(9/6/02 2:29:16 pm)
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Pagodas
One of the stories in _The Green Man_--I forget which one--is about pagodas. Terri, could you remind me which one? I have a swiss cheese memory, and the book is not sitting in front of me...
swanchick
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DonnaQ
Registered User
(9/6/02 8:23:41 pm)
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Re: Pagodas
The story in question (found in - The Green Man -) is "The Pagodas of Ciboure" by M. Shayne Bell.
It is quite charming and has a little bit about the French pagodas in the afterword by the author.
Perhaps Terri can tell us more about them?
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Terri
Registered User
(9/7/02 12:00:46 am)
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Re: Pagodas
The way Shayne describes the pagodas (as little creatures made out of bits of china, known for their tinkling music and healing abilities) comes directly from the French oral folklore tradition. Madame D'Aulnoy drew upon this older tradition when she wrote her story Green Snake, in which pagodas act as Green Snake's servants while he's under enchantment. Sometimes pagodas are described as little Chinese doll-like figures. (I've read English translations of Green Snake that describe them this way, and don't know what D'Aulnoy's original description was like. Are there any French readers of her tales here that know?) But Shayne's description is more traditional. They were called pagodas because their shapes resembled the architectural shapes of oriental pagodas.
Edited by: Terri at: 9/7/02 12:04:58 am
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Robin
Unregistered User
(9/7/02 1:05:15 am)
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Pagodes
I want to thank every one for replying to my question.
And yes, it was in The Green Man anthology that I found the story.
I had forgotten where, I read so much when I am not feeling well that some things just slip through my brain.
Does anyone know if Madame D'Aulnoy is the only one to put this into print?
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swanchick
Registered User
(9/8/02 4:34:46 pm)
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Connection?
Random thought--
Does anyone know if there is a connection between M. Shayne Bell and paranormal romance author Maggie Shayne? The similarity of names just struck me a minute ago, and it made me wonder if this is a person who uses different names for different genres.
swanchick
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