BEATRIX POTTER
Beatrix Potter 1866-1943 English writer, illustrator, natural scientist She spent holidays in Scotland and the Lake District Love for landscape, flora and fauna (she observed and painted) Typical woman of her generation (limited opportunities for higher education) In her thirties, she began writing and illustrating children's books full-time Miss Potter trailer 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published (an immediate success)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit a story created for reading a good mix of suspense and tension http://www.peterrabbit.com/
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Inspired by a pet rabbit Potter had as a child (Peter Piper) www.peterrabbit.com https://youtu.be/EuTlQCGxE5Y (Youtube)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Fir tree: abete Currant bun: panino con l’uvatta Blackberry: more Radish: ravanello Gooseberry: uva spina Brass: ottone To exert oneself: sforzarsi Wriggle out: sgusciare via Tool shed: capanno degli attrezzi To twitch: muoversi a scatti Hoe: zappa To scutter: scappare Wheelbarrow: carriola
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Who are the main characters?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Characters: Peter Rabbit: the naughty little bunny - Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton- tail: he good little bunnies - Mrs. Rabbit: their mother - Mr. McGregor: the gardener who chases after Peter and who also killed Peter's father - The little mouse The white cat Birds: symbolism (guiding spirits)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Two levels of interpretation: Surface level Subtextual narrative patterns
Surface level Two main elements: The story itself: to be read aloud and with a sense of drama The illustrations in the book: along with the text, they create a narrative space
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Meanings?
Subtextual narrative patterns - 1st approach: a valuable lesson about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of listening to one’s parents.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit 2nd approach: A character children can easily relate to Nothing is as irresistible as something that is off-limits Like Peter, the average 5 year-old get to learn about himself by exploring and trying to master the world despite all explicit and implicit restrictions limiting his or hers exploration The child can only be fully aware of the laws and regulations by actually breaking them To develop maturity involves being familiar with the existing limits to one's actions
The Tale of Peter Rabbit - 3rd approach: The garden: a model of the world outside of home Consisting of huge, powerful, hostile (Mr. McGregor), ambiguous (the cat) or friendly (the sparrows) competitors and possible allies (the little mouse). The social perspective of the story: they are all too concerned with their own survival to be of any assistance
The Tale of Peter Rabbit 4th approach: mythological Peter is a hero who must go through certain ordeals (David and Goliath)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit - 5th approach: she wanted to rebel against the bourgeois values and morals of her wealthy middle class family
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Animals and humans Peter has lots of human features Good and bad Battle between good chap (Peter) and the powerful and bad man (Mr. McGregor) But is it really that simple? Isn't Peter slightly bad?