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Author
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Comment
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unregistered user
Unregistered User
(3/21/03 12:12:23 pm)
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appearance versus reality
In 19th century writers the theme appearance versus reality often pops up. I am trying to find authors or papers which talk about this theme and how much of a role it played in 19th century society. I am closely examing the Grimm bothers, Hans Christian Anderson, and Oscar Wilde to name a few. Iron Heinrich, The Six Swans Hansel and Gretal, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Princess and the Pea, Tommelsie, The Shadow etc are all tales that I am looking at. I would really appreciate some insight from those whose interest is piqued
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Jess
Unregistered User
(3/21/03 1:17:08 pm)
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Look at the goose girl too
What is your theory? What are you exploring within this theme? Edify us on what you want to show and then maybe we can give you better feedback. I would suggest that you look at the Goose Girl too. The problem with some tales is that they were recorded much earlier than the 19th C in other forms. Are you tracing that as well? Differences in the versions of the tales?
Jess
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unregistered user
Unregistered User
(3/21/03 11:28:22 pm)
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theory
My theory is that so many authors used this theme during this time period because it was reflected in society. I have to use these specific tales as examples because they were in the syllabus.
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Midori
Unregistered User
(3/23/03 5:21:00 am)
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reality?
It might be wise to remember that "appearance versus reality" is a bit ironic when talking about fairy tales--since all of it ultimately is fiction. And most of it fantastic at that.
Perhaps what is more to the point in these stories is transformation--rites of passage moving from one identity into another--referenced by two very different "appearances" in the characters. And the idea of rites of passage is pretty old--not limited to the time period of the stories you are referencing.
On the other hand if you are trying to connect the images in the stories (as they evolved into their more formal and literary versions) to specific expectations of social class or behavior in a given period--then you need to analyze specifically what you think is the layered meaning of the final "appearance" of the character--what makes them unacceptable in their early forms --what makes them appear socially integrated in their final identities? Deconstructing the images and relating that to a specific cultural and social expectaction might be pretty interesting.
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searsmith
Registered User
(3/28/03 6:08:45 am)
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appearance vs reality
You'll need to define your theory still further than saying that Victorian society was concerned with appearances and how they differenced from reality so fairy tales reflected that.
Why do you think, for example, this was such a prevalent theme in Victorian culture? Would you characterize it more specifically as the pressure / drive to conform? Does the fantasy of the tales you are looking at ease or increase this pressure?
Or, another path -- Would you characterize this tension between appearance and reality more as a questioning of the new secular, empirical definition of truth through the realizing of more spiritual, invisible ones? If so, does the fantasy of the tales you are looking at provide a consolation to materialism or disturb the readers' adherence to it?
There are still more paths to take in developing your theory. It won't yield a good argument or basis for further textual inspection / outside research until you've got that more specific definition. I recommend going back to brainstorming before moving forward.
I'm feeling very teacherly toward you, so I suspect this is for
a class project. :)
Kelly
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