dearest fairy-tale friends!
so this week, i have begun my own investigation into the BEAUTY & THE BEAST tale type and am eager to share my findings, fascinations and dreamings with you all as they unfold!
in rereading TATAR's introduction to these tales in her collection (which i've found, by the way, through amazon: here's the link
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+classic+fairy+tales+tatar&x=15&y=20)
i've been most intrigued by the transformations of the heroine of the story across time and space-- i've spent some time looking at CUPID and PSYCHE for instance (which i highly recommend-- edith hamilton's version in any of her myth collections is just fine)and been struck by the ACTIVE role of that the "beauty" plays-- it contrasts so sharply with the "Belle" of the deBeaumont version with which most of us are most familiar, and upon which the Disney version of the story is based in this way most strikingly. PSYCHE is compelled to be her own hero in this story, through quick wits and strength. in the french version, BEAUTY's sole virtue, truly, is, as tatar writes, "an abstract quality of virtue"-- "being good rather than doing well." she is PASSIVE in this version of the story, mainly as a result, though, of the cultural moment in which it was written and the purpose it was meant to serve therein. the fairy tales of the central part of the european world at this time were meant, as we discussed, to be cautionary stories, instructive stories, for children-- they use two-dimensional characters and over-simplified plot-lines to instill particular social rules and morals into the younger generation. the most frightening of these lessons, for girls especially, is the endorsement of "obedience and self-denial." shudder.
i guess this explains why i was never particularly fond of this variation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; however, tatar notes that this profound tale is a universal: nearly every culture in the world has SOME version of the story to call its own, and there are MANY versions of the story-- a story involving a transformation through courage and love-- that were, and have remained, both dear and inspiringly magical to me. though CUPID and PSYCHE takes its place among them now, this is a recent addition; but among the tales from my childhood are EAST o'the SUN, WEST o' the MOON, the norwegian version of B&B, in which the heroine is far from passive and the story is rich in mystery and complexity...i recommend this tale enthusiastically to all of you! there's also a modern retelling, in novel form, by edith patou called EAST. another version i loved and still do is called BEAUTY, a novel by robin mckinley...fabulous book with a clever, yet compassionate, heroine.
a story that has always confused me a little, though i love what i see as some humor in it, is THE FROG PRINCE...i would love love love to talk about this tale more at our next meeting and hear what you all think about the slightly bizarre tale....
i will write more this evening, so stay tuned! also, PLEASE contribute to the discussion any and all the time-- this is our forum!
hope you're all enjoying the GORGEOUS weekend!
with love,
greta
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
an invitation & invocation
Let us
“make productive use of fairy tales by reacting to them, (exploring them), resisting them, and rewriting them, rather than passively consuming them” and let this engagement serve as “a splendidly legible and luminous map of reading for our cultural stories”!
[excerpts from Tatar, “Introduction”]
What?: A once-monthly group meeting of mothers and daughters in which
we focus our reading/creative expression/discussion upon a given “fairy tale/myth” and work to compare its variations across space and time; explicit emphasis will be placed on examining the roles of women in these tales
Where?: The Tea House (Canyon Road); bring $ for delicious chai and
treats!; we’ll be in the back room!
When?: The Sunday closest to the New Moon of any given month;
4:15-5:45 pm; Begins on 25 September
For Whom?: All interested daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, etc.
13 and older
Some goals for this study are for participants…
To recognize and consider the patterns in fairytales from a variety of cultures
To rethink and challenge our own assumptions about fairytales in our own culture
To take a feminist lens to fairytales and examine its implications
To weigh the cultural value and purpose of fairytales, both in the past and in modern times, particularly in regard to the role of women
To connect authentically with a fabulous and diverse group of beautiful, brilliant Santa Fe women!
To have FUN!
Reading List & Materials:
The Classic Fairy Tales (Maria Tatar, Ed.; Norton Critical Edition)
Traveling with Pomegranates (Kidd, Sue Monk with Ann Kidd Taylor)
Additional Suggestions to Follow!
*N.B.: For our first meeting, feel free to bring the Tatar text if you choose to buy it, but feel free to just bring yourself and a notebook/writing utensil!
I encourage you to share books between and among yourselves! Please let me know if acquiring these texts is a problem. I can make photocopies of the stories in Tatar’s book!
All supplemental readings/materials will be provided by me (Greta/Ms. Nelson, your fantabulous Fairy Godmother Facilitator!); any extra supplemental materials are welcomed and encouraged! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring your own picture books, film, poetry, artwork, etc. as it connects to our topic of discussion! After our first meeting (for which there is NO ASSIGNMENT), the nature of this “Show and Tell” will become clearer.
Please contact Greta Nelson, MA, with any further questions!
“make productive use of fairy tales by reacting to them, (exploring them), resisting them, and rewriting them, rather than passively consuming them” and let this engagement serve as “a splendidly legible and luminous map of reading for our cultural stories”!
[excerpts from Tatar, “Introduction”]
What?: A once-monthly group meeting of mothers and daughters in which
we focus our reading/creative expression/discussion upon a given “fairy tale/myth” and work to compare its variations across space and time; explicit emphasis will be placed on examining the roles of women in these tales
Where?: The Tea House (Canyon Road); bring $ for delicious chai and
treats!; we’ll be in the back room!
When?: The Sunday closest to the New Moon of any given month;
4:15-5:45 pm; Begins on 25 September
For Whom?: All interested daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, etc.
13 and older
Some goals for this study are for participants…
To recognize and consider the patterns in fairytales from a variety of cultures
To rethink and challenge our own assumptions about fairytales in our own culture
To take a feminist lens to fairytales and examine its implications
To weigh the cultural value and purpose of fairytales, both in the past and in modern times, particularly in regard to the role of women
To connect authentically with a fabulous and diverse group of beautiful, brilliant Santa Fe women!
To have FUN!
Reading List & Materials:
The Classic Fairy Tales (Maria Tatar, Ed.; Norton Critical Edition)
Traveling with Pomegranates (Kidd, Sue Monk with Ann Kidd Taylor)
Additional Suggestions to Follow!
*N.B.: For our first meeting, feel free to bring the Tatar text if you choose to buy it, but feel free to just bring yourself and a notebook/writing utensil!
I encourage you to share books between and among yourselves! Please let me know if acquiring these texts is a problem. I can make photocopies of the stories in Tatar’s book!
All supplemental readings/materials will be provided by me (Greta/Ms. Nelson, your fantabulous Fairy Godmother Facilitator!); any extra supplemental materials are welcomed and encouraged! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring your own picture books, film, poetry, artwork, etc. as it connects to our topic of discussion! After our first meeting (for which there is NO ASSIGNMENT), the nature of this “Show and Tell” will become clearer.
Please contact Greta Nelson, MA, with any further questions!
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