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Author
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Comment
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julie the obscure
Unregistered User
(11/17/03 3:21 am)
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Significance of Cats in Folklore/Fairytales
hey guys, im a newbie here, and i'm sure, in one form or another, the symbolism/importance of cats have been discussed.
but in a state of rush, would someone care to divulge what the cat has come to emulate - and im only looking for it in a context of a specifically western european, american sense of the folklore/fairytale.
thankyou!
love,
julie the obscure
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AlisonPegg
Registered User
(11/17/03 12:16 pm)
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Re: Significance of Cats in Folklore/Fairytales
There are people who would know more about this, I'm sure, but I'd guess that cats are all about intuition and the unconscious mind.
Alison
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Helen
Registered User
(11/17/03 12:26 pm)
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Cat-cats or???
This may be an overly finicky distinction, but, first off, do you mean transfigured/anthropormophized cats (i.e., the White Cat, Catskin, Puss-in-Boots) or do you mean, for lack of a better way of putting this, cat-cats? Alison is definitely on target in her designation (borne out by, say, the Cat Cinderella) but later tales can also associate cats with evil via the connection of witchcraft. Also, it depends on the period that you have in mind ... please, say more about what it is that you're looking for! This sounds like a fascinating topic.
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Jess
Unregistered User
(11/17/03 12:33 pm)
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Hmm
Is this a homework assignment? Just curious. Either way I would ask you to compare two stories: "The White Cat" and " Puss in Boots". In my opinion, they represent two somewhat contrasting characterizations of cats in fairy tales, but also with some consistencies. I have formed some definite opinions about this. After you have read the two (if you haven't already), I would like to hear what you got out the two stories. You might also want to look at non-European stories, such as the Jaguar stories in South American lore. The archives also have some discussions about cats. You might enjoy them as well.
Anyway, let's here what you think first. It is much more fun to discuss, than just to posit.
Jess
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Terri
Registered User
(11/18/03 2:50 am)
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Re: Hmm
There's a short article on cats in folklore on the Endicott site:
www.endicott-studio.com/forcats.html.
Edited by: Terri at: 11/18/03 2:51 am
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Niniane
Sunyata
Registered User
(11/18/03 6:09 am)
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Re: Significance of Cats in Folklore/Fairytales
A Suggestion:
do a google search for cat (or other feline) totems. May point you towards some interesting facts you can use for comparison. And some of those totem pages come with bibliographies which might come in handy if you're looking for Native American animal tales or otherwise. Also, check out sacred-texts.com , they've got a fascinating collection of Native American animal tales there.
Anita Harris.
Terra Mythogene
www.mythopoetica.com
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julietheobscure
Unregistered User
(11/18/03 11:47 am)
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thanks!
thanks guys!
very helpful!
im doing a presentation/project on the bluest eye, and im taking a folklorist angle with it.
cats are just somewhat prevalant in the book.
again, thankyou!
love,
julie
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