Nice to see you managed the deadline...great going there!

Assignment 8 Cont.

In the Grimm's The Robber Bridegroom, the heroine is presented in an interesting light. First, once she enters the murderers' home, it is the older woman and not her who comes up with the plan to hide behind the barrel. The old woman also saves her when she is about to be discovered. Furthermore, she could not even come up with an interesting story to tell at her own wedding at first questioning. "The bride remained still and did not utter a word." (144) Upon further prodding from her new husband, she tells the tale of her adventure to the house in the woods. The guests come to her rescue and all of the murderers are executed. With this conclusion of her wedding, it can only be assumed that she now can live happily ever after as a pleasant and dutiful wife.

Assignment 8

One thing about the violence in the tales that I found interesting was the connection with family. For example, in Fitcher's Bird, the brothers come to the rescue to kill and burn down the house of the sorcerer. Brothers were also the murderers of Bluebeard in France and Thackery's version. Although these tales are somewhat shocking with their bloody violence, these associations with family seem to soften the sense of guilt for the audience. Because these characters are acting with a sense of loyalty and devotion, it seems less concerning than an individual act of violence.

Horror Part 2

The Grimms' The Robber Bridegroom the young girl (heroine) devolves from a clever girl who "filled both her pockets with peas and lentils to mark the way." (p.151) She is then represented as disobedient when she ignores the warnings of a caged bird who tells her to "turn back" (p. 152) over and over again. She shows up again as a clever girl when she divulges her bridegrooms secret and how she saves the ring finger as a proof.

Horror Part One

The main focus of horror in the various versions of Bluebeard is symbolized by the forbidden room that the husband/man tells his wife/woman not to enter. But as Pandora with her box, the women always open the room to discover corpses or in the case of Grimm's version an actual murder. The room does not push the plot but rather serves as a conduit for the female to further the story.

Prompt 8 - Question 2: Cleverness

In the Grimm's "Fitcher's Bird," after two wives from one family are killed, it seems as though the main point might be to teach females a lesson to never disobey males. However, when the third daughter turns out to be a heroine, themes of self-preservation and cleverness are apparent. She starts out by "[putting] the egg in a safe place," which is a smart action to take, in and of itself (149). Then, when she finds her sisters all cut up in the forbidden room, instead of panicking, she puts them back together and brings them back to life. When the sorcerer returns and he thinks she hasn't been in the room because she's clever and tricked him, "he no longer had any power over her and had to do her bidding" (150). This line is imperative in seeing the hand off of power and how the wife used her cleverness and strength to give herself the upper hand. From here, the "sorcerer" is referred to as the "bridegroom," and he does exactly as he is told. In some versions, the bride is rescued by her brothers, but in this Grimm's version, she disguises herself as "a strange bird that not a soul would recognize," and gets herself out of that dreadful house (150). Her clever idea shows some parallels with power again because in the beginning, when he is the tricky one, the sorcerer disguises "himself as a poor man" (148). Clearly, this version of Bluebeard is one that delivers a reading of powerful, smart women.

Prompt 8 - Question 1: Horror

I noticed that the elements of horror in most of these versions of Bluebeard were somewhat similar and helped the story be more exciting. Blood and gore, the unexpected, suspense, and realism are the aspects that stood out for me. First, the fact that this sort of horrific chain of events could potentially happen to anyone is scary. Humans do certain tings all the time because of curiosity and temptation. Another common aspect of the stories involves either someone's finger being chopped off, or walking into a room full of blood and dead women. This just adds to the intensity of how bad the consequences of your actions can be and adds detail to the story. Also, nobody expects the blood to stay on the egg or key. When a ring doesn't come off right away, today, people would use lotion to remove it, so the sword was quite a surprise. The unexpected is horrific and seems to be used to keep the attention of the audience. Finally, the element of suspense is also used to keep the audience reading. This is seen when the wife is buying minutes of time so that she can live, but the audience is at the edge of theire seats because Bluebeard could kill her at any point in time. Another example of suspense is when the girls iding in "The Robber Bridegroom" and "Mr. Fox" could be discovered and murdered at any time. In gereal, these four main elements of horror inhance these versions of Bluebeard in similar ways.

Assignment 8 - 24. March 2009

Hi Mallory, Keith, Anna and Erica,

For this week, please complete two separate posts.

Question 1: Compare the elements of horror in the various versions of Bluebeard that you read for today. Please name the elements you are comparing and discuss how they function in the story. Do they help move the plot along? Elaborate the story? Startle the audience? etc.

Question 2: Tatar offers two readings of the heroine's character: either as a celebration of self-preservation and cleverness or as a disobedient female. Using a version other than the Perrault, consider how the heroine gets presented. Use quotes to support your reading.


DEADLINE for Posts: Midnight on Tuesday

DEADLINE for Comments on atleast two other posts: Midnight on Wednesday

Again, please post two separate entries!

Ann

DEFA

-The target for the film was for younger children who are just entering teenage years full of temptation and paths that may lead them in the wrong direction. The film wanted to appeal to a working class family in order to instill values and lessons that they can apply to their current life and living situation. This film was over the top a bit with comedy being forced through, but I think it was because many hard working middle class East Germans where looking for any excuse to laugh at that time. Times were tough and tense. The film let them laugh and still have lessons taught to them.
-This film and Snow White both remove the mystical magical elements of these fairy tales. They actually make things seem oddly real and humanistic, such as the devil being a person not some crazed monster that would be too far fetched to believe could ever be human. Snow White removed the mystery behind the "magic mirror" by replacing it with technology. The films also had funny elements of slapstick that makes this an easily identifiable DEFA film.
- The film medium allows for this to just be plain old ridiculous. Such as the boy caring for the devil. It is just funny to watch. It is over the top but it is okay because even though the magic is taken away there is still a level of plain old silly that goes on in the film, that is not so simply to portray in a written version. With the action is what makes the film funny and entertaining.

Prompt 7: DEFA films

I think the DEFA production of "The Devil's Three Golden Hairs" is targeted towards a younger audience. The 1977 film tried to make the story very funny and turned it from a fairy tale into a slapstick show. For example, there are unnecessary bursts of laughter, especially in the robber scene, and some ridiculous facial expressions that would probably make young adults laugh. Also, the movie is made up of almost all male characters, so that suggests that it could be aimed towards boys, who might be able to relate to it more. Both DEFA films we have seen have been comedic, leaning more on the cheesy side. In the DEFA version of Snow White, the magical aspect of the fairy tale was eliminated, and technology and hard work were themes that were used instead. Similarly, this DEFA film takes the magic away and adds technology (noticable, especially in the castle) and focuses on human labor. As for using the film as the medium instead of paper, it definitely allows for exaggeration and expansion of slightly funny details. Also, watching a movie is usually what people do for enjoyment, so assuming that people looking for entertainment will view this film, it is more likely that they will enjoy all of the slapstick aspects.

Assignment 7 - 17.March 2009

Hi Keith, Erica, Mallory and Anna,

Here's the assignment for this week. Please note that the deadlines are different from the usual.


After having viewed the DEFA film "The Devil's Three Golden Hairs", do the following:

1. Try to interpret from the movie, who the target audience might be. Keep in mind, that the film was made in 1977 in East Germany.

2. Compare the movie with the DEFA version of Snow White.

3. Explain how the medium 'film' is used to tell the story. You could consider talking about the plot, dialogue, etc.

Do try to touch upon all three points in your blog.

Deadline for posts: 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday

Deadline for comments on at least two posts: Midnight on Wednesday

Looking forward to your posts!

Ann

Assignment 6

One difference I noted in the two versions of Beauty and the Beast is the more evident use of magic in the Cocteau film. For example, when the father stumbles across the Beast's home in the film version, the gates magically open for him. The candelabras also guide him to the dinner table. In the text version, he wanders inside on his own and is afraid to eat in the seemingly empty house. Also, while the Beaumont version does have the magic mirror, the Cocteau film also has other enchanted objects, including a glove and key.

Prompt 6: Beauty and the Beast

The element of magic is what stood out to me the most when comparing the Cocteau’s movie to Beaumont’s version of Beauty and the Beast. In this written version, the merchant father finds an “immense castle,” but the detail of him exploring the “house” makes it sound pretty normal. The way that Beaumont sneaks the element of magic in is by having the father say, “Surely…this palace belongs to some good fairy who has taken pity on me” (34). This conveys that all of the seemingly natural events explained, were actually caused by the supernatural. As for the introduction of the castle, Beaumont downplays the magic. Meanwhile, Cocteau uses the small detail of magic in the castle to create a big dramatic scene for the singing merchant father. There are moving human arms attached to all the candle lights in the hallways that turn on and off according to where the father (or Belle) goes. Similar arms can also be found at the dinner table, serving food, as well as opening curtains for the guest. The music in the background has a mystical and mysterious sound that is also eerie. The creepy statues in the dining room, as well as many other rooms, have heads that move to follow the guest. Their eyes also light up, as if they can see. Another magical aspect is that the horse, Magnificent, somehow knows exactly where to take Belle and the father. As if all of this is not enough, Cocteau emphasizes magic even more when Belle is getting accustomed to the mysterious castle. The doors sing to her to tell her which room is for her, and the mirror sings to give instructions. Also, the bed prepares itself for Belle by pulling back the sheets. Clearly, Cocteau took a fairly small detail that Beaumont kept a bit hidden, and exaggerated to make this part of the story more exhilarating.

Beauty and The Beast

The Cocteau film version differed greatly from the Beaumont version of Beauty and the Beast by the ways that each dealt with the fate of the evil sisters of Beauty. There is a wrapped up conclusion to the sister's having to be punished for treating Beauty so wickedly by having the fairy transform them into statues and that would be their fate to suffer. While in the film version there was no mention of the sisters by the end of the tale. It did not tie a pretty little bow that described the Beauty seeking revenge upon her sisters that really did not love and care for their father like Beauty did, and were so jealous that Beauty was the most chased after woman that they constantly wanted to see her fail. I just wish that the film would have expressed the fate of the sisters since they did seem like a vital part of the story line itself that it was just odd to not to find out what ended up happening to them by the end.

Assignment 6 - 10.March 2009

Hi Keith, Erica, Mallory and Anna,

Here is your assignment for this week, with deadlines different from the usual.

Pick one scene or element from Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, and compare it or contrast it with de Beaumont's version. You might pick something that interests you, that seems odd, or something that you missed in one version or the other, for example.

For those of you who didn't manage to, you have time to complete the reading and watch the film, which is available on OAK and also on Reserve in the Library.

Deadline for putting up your responses is 09.00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Deadline for comment on at least one post is 10.00 a.m. on Thursday.

Ann

Cinderella...cover page

This title page points out the key symbols that many people take away from the story of Cinderella. The clock striking Midnight, Cinderella herself in a fancy head dress, and the glass slipper. Through these three elements the reader has a glimpse to see how each of the aspects will work together in the story of Cinderella. Even though varying versions of Cinderella include these elements some choose not to. The glass slipper or a shoe in general is usually a known key symbol that the audience should take away from the tale. As we discussed in class the perfect fit and having only one person be that perfect fit is a concept that many readers of Cinderella walk away with confidence knowing that someone out there in the world will be there perfect fit and everything will be happily ever after. There is also the fact that since Cinderella is such a good girl that she is given this fancy ball gown to where to the ball in order to impress the prince who then ends up searching for her. A part of Cinderella being a good girl is that she must follow directions such as making sure she leaves the ball by the stroke of midnight or else her dress will turn to rags and the carriage will become a pumpkin once again. Each of these pieces just show the reader what they are in store for when beginning the tale of Cinderella.

Promp #5: Cinderella

In class today, we discussed what makes up a typical Cinderella story. I chose the following illustrations to talk about because I really like how it takes so many aspects of the story and puts them into one picture. Also, the placement of all these aspects seems important. First, towards the back is the fireplace, which represents the servant life that she leaves behind. Front and center is the glass slipper surrounded by horns which, as far as we know, is the most recent part in Cinderella's life. Also, Cinderella's animal helpers, the pumpkin that turns into her carriage, and the element of time are all included at the top of the image. This shows how these are parts of the story, but they are not the most important seeing as they are outside of the stage. The fairy godmother is placed across from Cinderella to show how her character is key in the happy ending for Cinderella. Cinderella is depicted as pretty, but by the way she's sitting she seems rather shy. On the stage border, there are three faces, I think that the bottom and top faces represent the stepmother and stepsisters who make fun of Cinderella and make her life difficult. Meanwhile, the middle one represents the Prince and father who are the dreamy male figures in Cinderellas life.

Assignment 5

As an art history major, I was interested in selecting an image of Cinderella to consider in light of our class discussion. I picked Elenore Abbott’s illustration from a collection of Grimm’s tales (http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/illustrations/cinderella/abbottcindy.html). The scene that is captured by Abbott is when “Cinderella went to her mother’s grave beneath the hazel tree and cried out: ‘shake and wobble, little tree! Let gold and silver fall all over me.” (Grimm 81)

What struck me about the image was its overt references to Cinderella’s piety. She kneels at the tree with her hands folded, looking up to a higher power with closed eyes, as if she was in prayer. The shadow of the birds’ path also encircles Cinderella like a giant halo, alluding to her morality and angelic goodness. Furthermore, the birds seem to be represented as white doves. They hold religious undertones, as the Holy Spirit is articulated by white doves throughout the history of art. The gold aura at Cinderella’s knees is also an interesting aspect of the image. Because she is kneeling at her mother’s grave, this seems to represent the spirit of her mother in all its grandeur and goodness. In total, the image reflects what we discussed in class today in light of the Grimm version- the pious and moral Cinderella being protected by her mother from beyond the grave.

Assignment 5- 24.Feb 2009

Hi Mallory, Erica, Keith and Anna,

Here is the assignment for this week.

Look through the websites suggested below and find a version of Cinderella or even an illustration of her, that has not been talked about in class as yet.

1. D. L. Ashliman's folktale site:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html

2. the Sur La Lune fairy tale site:
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/

3. the Cinderella Project at the Univ. of Mississippi:
http://www.usm.edu/english/fairytales/cinderella/cinderella.html

Having selected the story/illustration, you are to elaborate on the reason you picked that particular story/illustration.

You could talk about how the story is different from what you have read so far and how these differences could be interesting in the light of our current discussions in class.

If you have selected an illustration, mention what about it grabbed you, what about it is different from other illustrations known to you and whether it contradicts or proves any of what we have discussed in class so far.

Posts are to be sent in by Midnight on Tuesday and comments to a minimum of two other posts are to be in by Midnight on Wednesday.

4

Disney finds away to add in huge arching themes for the gender roles of women. Disney decided to have the women in his version be very needy and wait to be saved by the oh so strong males (usually a prince). In the Fairy Tales the women are stronger and have more of a purpose. The focus is not always on their beauty compared to their status and placement in society. In the Fairy Tales there is more of a presence of families and direct relation of how real people can be really evil. The disney version is all about scary monsters and over the top distant family relations.