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
