FAIRYTALES Ms. Gilbert’s Multigenre Unit Junior English

LET’S BRAINSTORM SOME FAIRYTALES…  Cinderella  Jack and the Bean Stalk  Red Riding Hood

WHAT IS A FAIRYTALE?  Type of Mythology  Fairy tales embody the values of the common people, not the upper or ruling classes  The most popular theme is that of the low class or common person rising above his or her situation.

TRICKSTER trickster  Also popular is the theme of the trickster.  Cunning character, often overlooked by his peers, is followed through his victories and follies.  Trickster stories provide good natured humor, and are sometimes used to explain natural phenomenon such as why the sky is blue, why the leopard is spotted, and why mother feels cranky a few days out of each month.

CAUTIONARY TALE the cautionary tale  Another very common theme is that of the cautionary tale. Such stories serve as a warning to each new generation, often exaggerating the consequences of social blunders or other faux pas. Some cautionary tales promote the values of hospitality or good manners. Others are blatant attempts to convince wives to obey their husbands or children to obey their parents.  Beauty and the Beast can be seen as a cautionary tale to women who would judge potential husbands on their looks alone.

STRUCTURE  Often starts with the phrases “Once upon a time” or “Long ago in a faraway land” and typically ends with “and they lived happily ever after”  Magic or Supernatural components (people, animals, objects) that may be positive or negative  Didactic: teaches a moral lesson or demonstrate values important to the culture.

SETTING  Castle, Forest, or Town  Set in the past—usually significantly long ago. May be presented as historical fact from the past.

PLOT  A central problem or conflict that must be solved  Results in a happy ending due to the resolution of the problem or conflict

CHARACTERS  Clearly defined Antagonist vs. Protagonist (Good vs. Evil)  Royalty: King, Queen, Prince, Princess etc.  Animals: usually given humanlike, animated qualities or are companions or sidekicks of the main character/s

 Fairy-tale heroines and heroes are human and mortal. They meet supernatural or magical creatures, and use magical objects, but the heroes or heroines themselves do not have innate supernatural or magical powers.  Human characters are often referred to in terms of their profession, social position, or familial relation to other characters: prince, princess, king, queen, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, youth, old man, old woman, merchant, peasant, priest, blacksmith, etc.

GETTING STARTED  Plot: What is going to happen?  Setting: Where/ when will the story take place?  Characterization: Who are the main characters? What do they look like?  Structure: How will the story begin? What will be the problem? How is the problem going to be resolved?  Theme: What is the theme / message you want to communicate?

SOME MORALS TO CONSIDER  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Good things come to those who wait.  Be careful what you wish for.  Don't be greedy.  Respect your elders.  Hard work is its own reward.

COMMON MOTIFS · Monsters (dragons, ogres, evil creatures, etc.) · Struggle between good and evil, light and dark · Youngest vs. Oldest (sons, daughters, sibling rivalry) · Sleep (extended sleep, death-like trances) · Impossible tasks (ridiculously mind-numbing, fantastic effort needed to complete, etc.) · Quests · Gluttony / Starvation (there’s a fine line between eating for survival and succumbing to temptation) · Keys, passes (opening new doors) · Donors, Benefactors, Helpers (ex: Fairy God Mother)