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Author
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Comment
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genomicanomaly
Unregistered User
(10/9/05 4:35 pm)
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Paper Help
Hello All,
I'm doing a paper for my class. From the topics, I chose to compare two fairy tales that are similar.
I already wrote most of a paper. I compared The Castle of Murder and The Robber Bridegroom. However, I really don't like my paper. (She wants us to focus on the similarities/difference in the narrative structure, how the characters differ and what are the variations concerning the themes and the message.) I was wondering if you guys could give me any suggestions.
For The Castle of Murder, I said that this story was more of a warning about abortion. (Although, I have a little trouble connecting this fluidly in the tale.) For The Robber Bridegroom, I stated that this story was more of a warning about rape. If you have read the stories, I was wondering if you could give me some other ideas about the differences concerning the themes and messages. I already stated a lot of the similarities (trusting your instincts, appearances can be deceiving, the idea of being submissive, etc)
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I was also wondering if you could give me an example of a tale that could be interpreted or read in two different ways. (I've been thinking about changing my paper topic even though I've basically finished the one state above.) I was thinking about doing The Fisherman and His Wife but since we discussed that in class I don't want to but perhaps something along the lines of that tale.
Thanks.
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DerekJ
Unregistered User
(10/9/05 7:18 pm)
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Re: Paper Help
Quote:
I was also wondering if you could give me an example of a tale that could be interpreted or read in two different ways. (I've been thinking about changing my paper topic even though I've basically finished the one state above.) I was thinking about doing The Fisherman and His Wife but since we discussed that in class I don't want to but perhaps something along the lines of that tale.
Interesting question about F&W:
Although every university jacka...er, "interpretive student"
wants to find some feminism/empowerment/henpecked-gender-role/etc.
message in it with a microscope, never could get a solid answer
on whether the "Back in the hovel" ending was meant to
represent:
A) "The one thing you don't ask for",
or
B) "Guess what?--This IS 'just like (how) the lord God himself' lives!...Enjoy!" :)
...Given that it's an Andersen story, there's good evidence for either side, and nobody ever seems to settle on a general consensus.
(And at least it gets us off the Bluebeard-bloodspots for a
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genomicanomaly
Unregistered User
(10/9/05 9:26 pm)
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Re:
Quote:
Although every university jacka...er, "interpretive student" wants to find some feminism/empowerment/henpecked-gender-role/etc. message in it with a microscope,
I actually wasn't going for that perspective at all. (Because I'm not all about gender perspectives.) But thanks for generalizing me. I was actually looking for a story other than that one because agnostically, I'd rather not do one that involves "God." The one I have is from the Grimms anyways. That's why asked if someone had another tale suggestion.
But if you want, I'll start up on the symbolism of the blood from Bluebeard since you like to stereotype every student as a dolt. Thanks for all your help in answering my questions!!!
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(10/9/05 9:58 pm)
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Andersen?
"Guess what?--This IS 'just like (how) the lord God himself' lives!...Enjoy!"
...Given that it's an Andersen story, there's good evidence for either side, and nobody ever seems to settle on a general consensus.
--------------------------------------------
See www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0555.html
Ashliman says it's a Type 555 and gives five versions:
The Fisherman and His Wife (Germany).
Hanns Dudeldee (Germany).
The Stonecutter (Japan).
The Stonemason Who Was Never Satisfied (China).
The Bullock's Balls (India).
In the first one they live in a piss pot, ie a chamber pot.
There's quite a bit about origins, which I'm too lazy to study the dates of. I doubt the story originated with Andersen.
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(10/9/05 10:08 pm)
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your paper
There isn't a lot of traffic here lately. Maybe some more people will reply later.
I don't recall "The Castle of Murder", and am not very familiar with "The Robber Bridegroom." If it's a Bluebeard sort of thing, there are a lot of versions; the Ashliman site I mentioned in my other post would probably have them. Also, Heidi has comparative versions of many tales here at Sur la Lune, with comments and links.
As for a tale that can be taken more than one way, there was just quite a thread on one like that: "Allerleirauh vs Allerleirauh." It's on Page 2 of this board now.
Good luck.
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Erica Carlson
Registered User
(10/9/05 10:28 pm)
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Re: your paper
I'm not very familiar with "The Castle of Murder," either, but after reading this thread, I'll look it up. I admittedly enjoy the turn-around in "The Robber Bridegroom" when the intended victim springs her own trap. I wonder if you've looked at "Mr. Fox" at all. Very, very similar to "The Robber Bridegroom" but instead of hearing, "Turn back, turn back, young maiden dear, 'Tis a murderer's house you enter here" the heroine reads, "Be bold, be bold, but not too bold" (and variations) as she approaches the house of Mr. Fox.
I think that Bluebeard can certainly be read (at least) a few different ways, for example. Is the tale a warning against female curiosity, a warning not to marry someone you don't know very well who might be a serial killer, or possibly a warning against setting up a ridiculous test for your sweetheart?
Good luck with your paper, no matter what topic you end up with,
Erica
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AliceCEB
Registered User
(10/10/05 7:43 am)
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Re: your paper
This probably doesn't answer your question well, but there are characters in folklore that play conflicting roles. For example Brer Rabbit, a trickster figure, in some stories represents the weaker creature who comes out on top through his wits, and in others represents the troublemaker who gets his come-uppance. (I think this is pretty characteristic of a large number of trickster figures.) An interesting study is to couple these characters with the real life context of the tales, where conflicting roles are played by the same people. E.g. for Brer Rabbit, the tales come out both free African and African-American slave experiences, thereby casting Brer Rabbit differently depending upon context.
I'm sorry I don't have a specific fairy tale to suggest for you, although if you are interested in Brer Rabbit tales, I'll happily look through my collection for you. I wish you luck on your paper.
Best,
Alice
P.S.
www.surlalunefairytales.com/boardarchives/2005/apr2005/moderatorspeak.html
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genomicanomaly
Unregistered User
(10/10/05 3:53 pm)
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Re: Thanks
I thank everyone for their responses. I really appreciate it.
EricaCarlson: "The Castle of Murder" is similar to "The Robber Bridegroom." There's a three-line statement by the suitor but it's more of him questioning her doubt. There are similar features as well: (an old woman who helps her, violence against women, similar ending, etc).
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Don
Registered User
(10/10/05 7:21 pm)
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Re: Thanks
". . . an Andersen story"? Really? Oh my. Grimms' dialect tale "Von dem Fischer un syner Fru" was recorded by the painter Philipp Otto Runge in Pomeranian dialect around 1806 and made its way to the Grimms in 1809. There's much more to the editorial history than this, but in any case the story clearly didn't come from Andersen--unless he was wandering around Northern Germany as a one-year-old telling tales in Pomeranian dialect.
Edited by: Don at: 10/10/05 7:23 pm
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