Lesson 3: From Folktale to Literary Tale Flashcards
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
- Indian-born Rudyard Kipling was a writer of poems, short stories, and novels and is recognized as a major contributor to English literature
- Thanks to Disney, the best known of Kipling’s works is The Jungle Book.
- Another of Kipling’s major contributions to children’s literature is his Just So Stories, a collection of ironic pourquoi tales describing everything from how the elephant got its trunk to how the leopard got its spots.
- Kipling is most renowned for his narrative style and use of language: at once playful, poetic, and extravagant. Notice Kipling’s alliterative and exaggerated descriptions: for example, the “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees.” It is this style, in addition to his illustrations and their accompanying commentaries that make Kipling’s stories so unique.
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)
- Wrote many famous fairy tales such as “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Thumbelina”
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Robert Munsch (1945-present)
- Canadian author who wrote children’s books such as “The Papger Bag Princess,” Thomas’ Snowsuit,” and “Smelly Socks”
- specializes in the tall tale, frequently develops and polishes his literary “folktales” with groups of children. Consequently his style is colloquial, the movement of his story rapid, and his rhythms often those of speech.
Compare and contrast the three assigned versions of the Cinderella tale, considering such elements as setting, character, theme, plot, tone, and the conventions of the folk or traditional tale
Charles Perrault’s “Cinderella” (1697):
- Setting: The story is set in France during the 17th century, reflecting the culture and norms of that time period.
- Character: Cinderella is portrayed as a gentle and kind-hearted girl who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. The Fairy Godmother plays a significant role in transforming Cinderella’s fate.
- Theme: Themes of kindness, perseverance, and the triumph of good over evil are prominent. There’s also an emphasis on the idea of inner beauty and true nobility.
- Plot: The plot follows a linear progression, with Cinderella enduring hardships until she receives magical assistance and ultimately wins the prince’s heart.
- Tone: Perrault’s version has a light and whimsical tone, with elements of humor and enchantment.
- Folk Tale Conventions: Perrault’s version follows many conventions of traditional folk tales, including the presence of magical elements, a persecuted heroine, and a happy ending.
Joseph Jacob’s “Cap o’ Rushes”:
- Setting: The story’s setting is timeless, blending elements of rural life and aristocratic society.
- Character: The protagonist, known as “Cap o’ Rushes,” is a resilient young woman who disguises herself in rushes after leaving her father’s home due to his rejection. She demonstrates independence and inner strength throughout the story.
- Theme: Key themes include self-discovery, the value of inner worth over outward appearances, and the power of love and forgiveness. The story also explores family dynamics and societal expectations.
- Plot: “Cap o’ Rushes” follows the protagonist’s journey as she finds employment with a nobleman and eventually reveals her true identity after undergoing tests of character.
- Tone: The tone is introspective, with moments of melancholy balanced by themes of hope and redemption.
- Folk Tale Conventions: The story incorporates traditional folk tale elements such as disguise, transformation, and moral lessons.
Brothers Grimm’s “Aschenputtel” (1812):
- Setting: The story is set in Germany and reflects the cultural context of the 19th century.
- Character: Aschenputtel (Cinderella) is depicted as resilient and patient, enduring mistreatment with grace. The stepsisters are particularly cruel and grotesque.
- Theme: Similar to Perrault’s version, themes of kindness, perseverance, and the reward of goodness are central. However, the Brothers Grimm version may emphasize the consequences of cruelty more starkly.
- Plot: While the overall plot structure is similar to Perrault’s version, the Brothers Grimm include darker elements, such as the stepsisters cutting off parts of their feet to fit into the glass slipper.
- Tone: The tone of the Brothers Grimm version is more somber and moralistic compared to Perrault’s, reflecting the harsher realities of life.
- Folk Tale Conventions: This version also adheres to folk tale conventions but may include more gruesome details and moral lessons.
Compare and contrast both Perrault’s and the Grimm brother’s versions of “Little Red Riding Hood,” considering such elements as setting, character, theme, plot, tone, and the conventions of the folk or traditional tale. Pay special attention to the endings of the stories.
- Setting:
- Perrault’s Version: Perrault’s version is set in a generic forest environment, typical of European fairy tales, with no specific time or place mentioned.
- Grimm’s Version: The Grimm brothers’ version is also set in a forest but is more grounded in Germanic folklore, reflecting the cultural context of the time.
- Character:
- Perrault’s Version: In Perrault’s version, Little Red Riding Hood is portrayed as naive and innocent, while the wolf is cunning and deceptive.
- Grimm’s Version: The characters in Grimm’s version are similar, with Little Red Cap being innocent and the wolf being deceitful. However, the grandmother’s role is more prominent, and Little Red Cap is depicted as cleverer than in Perrault’s version.
- Theme:
- Perrault’s Version: Perrault’s version emphasizes the dangers of naivety and disobedience, with a moral lesson cautioning against talking to strangers.
- Grimm’s Version: The Grimm brothers’ version also warns against the dangers of trust and naivety but adds elements of courage and cunning, particularly with Little Red Cap’s role in outsmarting the wolf.
- Plot:
- Perrault’s Version: The plot of Perrault’s version follows a linear progression, with Little Red Riding Hood encountering the wolf on her way to her grandmother’s house and being eaten by him.
- Grimm’s Version: The plot of Grimm’s version is similar but includes additional details, such as the wolf tricking Little Red Cap into revealing her destination and eating the grandmother before Little Red Cap arrives.
- Tone:
- Perrault’s Version: Perrault’s version has a more cautionary tone, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience and the dangers of the world.
- Grimm’s Version: The tone of Grimm’s version is darker and more ominous, with a focus on the threat posed by the wolf and the need for cunning and bravery to survive.
- Conventions of Folk Tale:
- Both versions adhere to the conventions of traditional folk tales, including the use of anthropomorphic animals, moral lessons, and elements of suspense and danger.
- Endings:
- Perrault’s Version: In Perrault’s version, Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother are eaten by the wolf, with no further resolution.
- Grimm’s Version: In Grimm’s version, Little Red Cap and her grandmother are rescued by a passing huntsman who cuts open the wolf’s stomach, allowing them to escape unharmed. The huntsman then fills the wolf’s stomach with stones, causing it to drown when it tries to drink water.
Compare and contrast the Grimms’ “Briar Rose” with Perrault’s version of the tale, “Sleeping Beauty.”
- Title:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The Grimm brothers’ version is often referred to as “Briar Rose.”
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version is commonly known as “Sleeping Beauty.”
- Setting:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The setting of “Briar Rose” is not specified in great detail, but it generally follows a medieval European fairy-tale setting.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version is also set in a generic medieval European kingdom.
- Character Names:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The protagonist is usually referred to as Briar Rose or Talia.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: The main character is simply called Sleeping Beauty.
- Plot:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: In the Grimm version, the princess, named Briar Rose, falls into a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a spindle. The entire kingdom falls asleep with her, and it is only after many years that a prince arrives to wake her with a kiss.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version follows a similar plot, with the princess, known as Sleeping Beauty, falling into a deep sleep after pricking her finger. However, in Perrault’s tale, it is not the entire kingdom but only the princess who falls asleep. Additionally, Perrault’s version includes the introduction of the wicked fairy who curses the princess.
- Role of Fairies:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The role of fairies in the Grimm version is not as prominent. The curse is placed by an old woman who is not explicitly identified as a fairy.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version introduces the concept of good and wicked fairies, with the wicked fairy being responsible for the curse and the good fairies mitigating its effects.
- Ending:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The Grimm version generally ends with the prince waking Briar Rose with a kiss, leading to their eventual marriage.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version also ends with the prince awakening Sleeping Beauty with a kiss, but it includes additional events such as the prince’s battle with the wicked fairy and the eventual marriage of Sleeping Beauty’s children.
- Tone:
- Grimm’s “Briar Rose”: The tone of the Grimm version is often more subdued and mysterious, with a focus on the sleeping princess and the passage of time.
- Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty”: Perrault’s version tends to have a more whimsical and fantastical tone, with the inclusion of magical elements and the emphasis on the prince’s heroic actions.
What qualities do the stories of Hans Christian Andersen, Rudyard Kipling, James Thurber, and Robert Munsch share with the folktale? How do their stories differ from the folktale?
Qualities shared with folktales:
Universal Themes: Like folktales, the stories of these authors often explore universal themes such as love, friendship, bravery, and the human condition.
Memorable Characters: Many of their stories feature memorable characters that resonate with readers and often embody archetypal traits found in folktales, such as heroes, tricksters, and wise elders.
Moral Lessons: Just as folktales often impart moral lessons or convey cultural values, the stories of these authors frequently contain moral or philosophical insights that offer guidance or provoke reflection.
Imaginative Settings: Their stories often take place in imaginative or fantastical settings, similar to the magical realms found in folktales, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.
Engaging Narratives: Like folktales, their stories are characterized by engaging narratives that captivate readers through suspense, humor, or emotional resonance.
Differences from folktales:
Authorship and Originality: Unlike folktales, which are typically passed down orally and evolve over time through collective storytelling, the stories of these authors are the products of individual creativity and authorial intent.
Cultural Context: While folktales are deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of specific communities or regions, the stories of these authors may draw inspiration from a variety of cultural sources and may reflect the author’s own background and perspective.
Complexity and Depth: The stories of these authors often exhibit greater complexity and depth compared to traditional folktales, featuring nuanced characters, intricate plots, and psychological insights that may appeal to older audiences as well as children.
Literary Style: Each author has a distinctive literary style that sets their stories apart from traditional folktales. For example, Andersen’s tales are known for their lyrical prose and emotional depth, while Kipling’s stories often feature vivid descriptions and richly detailed settings.
Audience and Purpose: While folktales are typically intended for a general audience and serve various cultural functions, such as entertainment, education, and transmitting cultural values, the stories of these authors may be targeted at specific age groups or may have different purposes, such as social commentary or satire.
What distinguishes Hans Christian Andersen’s retellings of traditional tales from his more literary tales?
Hans Christian Andersen’s retellings of traditional tales are based on existing folklore, featuring simpler narratives and clear moral lessons. In contrast, his more literary tales are original works, showcasing greater creativity, sophistication, and depth, often targeting a more mature audience with nuanced themes and characters.
What are the chief defining characteristics of Kipling’s style?
Rudyard Kipling’s style is marked by clarity, vivid imagery, and precise language. He utilizes dialogue to develop characters and pays meticulous attention to detail. Themes of empire and identity are prevalent in his works, which often feature strong narrative structures and explore a range of genres.
